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TRAVELS 



GERMANY, PRUSSIA AND SWITZERLAND. 



BY REV. HENRY HIESTAND. 



INCLUDING SOME ACCOUNT GF 
HIS EA.RI.Y lilFE, 

CONVERSION, AND MINISTERIAL LABOURS 
IN THE UNITED STATES. 



BDITED BT A MIMISTKR OF THB GOSPEL IN NEW-TOBK. 



NEW-YORK. 
JOHN S. TAYLOR, BRICK CHURCH CHAPEL, 

OPF03ITB THE CITY HALL. 

1837. 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the vear 1837 bv 

J"!^ \ r^^^^T^-'" -^^ 91'/'"'' ^^'''' '" the District C^urt 
of the Southern District of New- York. 



■S^ 



<^V 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Birth — Early Religious Impressions — Conviction 
of Sin and Conversion to God 13 

CHAPTER n. 

Entrance into the Ministry — First Official Ap- 
pointment — Travels and Labours in the United 
States 29 

CHAPTER HI. 

Voyage to Germany — ^Arrival at Hamburg and 
Reception there ----------42 

CHAPTER IV. 

Became acquainted with several Clergymen — In- 
teresting visits to a pious Family — An Invita- 
tion to go to the Theatre — Bachelor's Club — 
Visit ta the Mayor of Hamburgh — Preparation 
lo visit Berlin ----- ,----64 



6 
CHAPTER V. 
Funeral of the Emperor of Austria-Ceremony 
of Confirmation — Sacrament Preparation- 
Sacred Concert— Country Excursion— Young 
Ministers-Cure for Dropsy— Ride to Berlin 73 

CHAPTER VI. 

Reception at Berlin-Novel Sight-Professor 
Neander— Baron Gottvitz— Count Van Gra- 
ben— Singular request by a Boy— Social Vi- 
sits- Spandau Penitentiary— Sabbath School 
Anniversary— Visit to the Prince 55 

CHAPTER Vn. 

The Grave-yard— Church Government— Leaves 
Berlin— The Farmers of Wiettbrizen-King's 
Garden, Museum and Palace— Theological 
Meeting— Return to Berlin a few Days— De- 
parture thence to Konigsburg 109 

CHAPTER vnr. 

Letter from Home— A little Controversy— Visit 
to Stuttgard— Bishop Otto, and the ancient 
Baptismal Font — Inconsistent Consistory- 
Malicious Letter from Berlin— Its Recantation 
—Detained at HofF— Interview with a Shep- 
herd—Professor Greene and Lady Danville of 
Kentucky— Pass on to Nuernberg— Churches 



and Burying Grounds— Female Labour in the . 
Markets— Iffnorance of our Country— Note 

113 
respecting Luther ---- 



CHAPTER IX. 

Visit to Stultgard— Difficulty of preaching there 
—Switzerland- The River Rhine— The Alps 
—Beautiful Scenery— SchafFhausen—Guerck 
—Found a Namesake— Lavater— Basle Ca- 
thedral-Erasmus— Mouse Tower— Revisited 
Hamburg from Bremen— Return thither— 
Preparations for sailing to the United States- 
Passage across the Atlantic— Arrival at New- 
Orleans - 



Conclusion 



13& 

162, 



PREFACE 



The following pages are submitted to 
the public with great diffidence. They 
originated in the earnest request of many 
personal friends of Mr. Hiestand, that he 
would give some account of his visit to 
Europe in 1835. But the number of works 
that have been issued from the press, re- 
lative to the European character, customs, 
and other matters, rendered it difficult to 
suppose that there could be any room for 
another. Continued solicitations, how- 
ever, induced the author to collate and 
transcribe some notes and memoranda 
which were taken while in Europe. 
These were submitted to a few friends, 
who gave it as their opinion that the work 



10 

would be acceptable and useful, especially 
to such as felt interested in the cause of 
religion, or were anxious to know the state 
of Christianity in those parts of Europe 
where Mr. Hiestand traveled. The inci- 
dents given in the following pages are not 
numerous, and care has been taken to 
avoid tedious detail. 

Many who have made the tour of Eu- 
rope, or who have visited a particular part 
thereof, when giving their account of mat- 
ters and things, neglect to mention the 
state of true religion, as it is incnlcated 
and practised by ministers and people. 
Perhaps they have said all they knew; 
nevertheless Christians at home wish 
to know something about Christianity 
abroad; and hence this work supplies a 
deficiency which exists in many books of 
travels. Herein will be found the opinion 
of an humble Christian, in respect to the 



11 



moral and spiritual condition of the inha- 
bitants in some parts of Germany, Prussia, 
Switzerland, and elsewhere, and it is to 
be feared that there is more formality and 
ceremony than genuine piety both among 
the clergy and laity. May the Sun of 
Righteousness arise with healing in his 

wings. 

It is to be hoped that the sketch of Mr, 
Hiestand's early life and conversion to 
God will be of use to young people, espe- 
cially those who have pious parents, and 
this is certainly a sufficient reason for its 
insertion, introductory to other matter. 
^' It is good for a man to bear the yoke of 
his youth." Let this be borne in mind by 
the youthful readers of these pages. 

The editor has taken upon himself the 
responsibility of adding a few reflections, 
and other remarks, at the end of some of 
the chapters, and he must also state that 



12 

he must take the praise or blame of all 
matter written in the third person, as Mr. 
Hiestand was absent from New- York 
when the book was revised and put to 
press. This is also the case as it regards 
the Discourse, which forms the appendix ; 
and it is added in the belief that it will be 
useful to the church and the world. That 
this may be the case, in reference to the 
whole, is the sincere prayer of 

THE EDITOR. 



13 



CHAPTER I. 

Sir^— Early Religious Impressions — Conviction of 
Sin and Conversion to God. 

Those incidents which occur in the life of 
man, during the period of infancy, are so similar 
in their character, and so uninteresting to all 
but the parties concerned, that it would be 
more than folly for me to describe those which 
happened to me at that time. I shall only state 
that which is necessary to be known. 

I was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, 
on the 19th October, 1788. My father's name 
was Abraham Hiestand. He was, before my 
remembrance, a preacher of the gospel, and 
from the advice and admonition which I re- 
ceived from him, I was in early life taught 
the difference between right and wrong — good 
and evil. By him I was instructed in the first 
principles of Christianity, and my mind was 
therefore often exercised in thoughts of eter- 
nity, and all its awful and sublime reahties. 
2 



14 



Another consequence of my religious training 
was, that the commission of any sin, in word 
or deed, or disobedience to parents, was always 
followed by remorse of conscience, and from 
a conviction that these things were displeasing 
to God, I, after reflecting on the actions of the 
day, frequently promised, that, if the Lord 
would spare me through the night, I would for 
the future do better. But alas ! such was the vo- 
latility of my youthful mind, I forgot my vows, 
and went on carelessly till I w^as eleven 5^ears 
of age. About this time I attended a funeral, 
and while looking upon the lifeless body in the 
coffin, I was suddenly arrested with the 
thoughts of death and the necessity of conver- 
sion. 1 knew if I died in the state I was a.t 
that time, I should be turned into hell, with all 
the people that forget God. When at the place 
of burial, I trembled exceedingly, my " heart 
was moved as the trees of the wood are moved 
with the wind," and on leaving the grave I 
formed a resolution, from that day, to devote 
myself to the service of God. My serious im- 
presiBions continued to follow me, but still I was 
imable to conquer the evils of my heart, and 
my vows being made in my own strength, the 
Lord had to say of me, as of Ephraim and Ju- 



15 



dah, " your goodness is as a morning cloud, 
and as the early dew it goeth away." After a 
few months I gave way to my former evil 
practices, and sin by degrees gained the as- 
cendency. But the arrow of conviction, which 
God had lodged in my heart, retained its place, 
and in the midst oi" my dissipation stung me 
keenly. Sin had no pleasures for me. I 
vowed to ajnend, and as frequently broke my 
vows. I felt the liardness of my heart, but 
could not repent. And yet my heart was sus- 
ceptible of impression, for ever}- powerful ser- 
mon affected me, a description of the Saviour's; 
sufferings always pierced my heart, and some- 
times it seemed as though Jesus looked upon 
me and charged mc with his sufferings and 
death ; then would my heart be filled with 
grief a,nd fear, but when these impressions 
were gone, I returned to my sins. Thus I con- 
tinued as a " troubled sea" until my twentieth 
year, and it is only through " the Lord's mer- 
cies that lam not consumed, because his com- 
passions fail not." 

In tlie autumn of 1804 my father removed 
to Fairfield County, in the State of Ohio. 
About four years after this, in the spring of 
J.808, my faiJier and anothej- preaclier engaged 



016 



to attend a sacramental meeting, near tweliKC 
miles distance from our place of ab»de. They 
went on the day appointed, and I resolved to 
follow them. In the afternoon I saddled a 
horse for that purpose, in the sincere hope 
that I should return in a better state of mind 
than I went. However Satan endeavoured to 
divert my mind by insinuating I was too young 
— there was time enough yet — or if I became 
religious, I should have no more pleasure. 
Nevertheless I went. 

The meeting on the Sabbath was held out of 
doors, in consequence of the smallness of the 
house, but I paid little attention to the sermons 
that were delivered ; my heart was filled with 
pride and vanity. After preaching, the table of 
the Lord was set, and when the people ap- 
proached to partake of the sj'^mbols of the Sa- 
viour's dying love, I pressed forward to wit- 
ness the ceremony, which was after the manner 
observed by the German Reformed Church. 
While thus looking I began to feel solemn. 
Some mere professors, with whom I was per- 
sonally acquainted, came near, and the words 
of the apostle, on eating and drinking unwor- 
thily, came to my mind. I wept for them, and 
while musing on their condition I began to re- 



17 

fleet on my oim. I felt as a sinner before God, 
and was convinced that the body of Christ was 
broken, and his blood shed for me — that his 
sufferings were for my si?is. These reflections 
made me weep bitterlj'-, but when I left the 
meeting I assumed my former light air. 

I remained during the night with a family 
whose daughter had recently been converted 
to God, This young lady had noticed me 
weeping, and inquired the cause. I frankly 
told her, which led to a free conversation on 
religion. I unbosomed my thoughts and feel- 
ings in regard to it, after which she related the 
account of her conversion to God. Her state- 
ment went as a dagger to my heart, and though 
I had often felt deeply, yet I never before was 
so much affected as now. A sense of my sin- 
ful condition made me burst into tears, and the 
recollection of the Saviour's agony and death 
almost broke my heart. During the night my 
couch was watered with tears, and sleep for- 
sook my eyes. In the morning I returned 
home, weeping most of the way. I was as one 
who had suddenly awoke out of a deep sleep, 
and found himself surrounded by dangers, of 
which he had never before thought. My sins 
appeared mountainous and innumerable, I felt 



18 



under the condemnation of the Uiav, " without 
hope and without God in the worhl." Those 
who ha^-e been taught in the school of expe- 
rience alone understand my feehngs. When I 
reached home, my friends discerned :i diffe- 
rence, l)ut did not ask the cause, and 1 kept 
out of their way as much as possible. My 
sorrow and wretchedness increased so much 
that I did not wish to see any body. Every 
day made my burden heavier, fori had clearer 
views of my extreme sinfulness. If my sins 
had been printed in a book, the}- could not have 
been presented more distinctly. The goodness 
of God — the drawings of his spirit — the mercies 
he had offered — and the opportunities I had 
despised and neglected — all rushed upon my 
recollection, and added to my misery. I be- 
gan to despair. Satan suggested that it was 
too late — the favours I had slighted would not 
be re-offered — my sins were too great — I might 
just as well drive away these gloomy thoughts, 
for there was no hope for me. But then floods 
of anguish would over\^-helm me, for I had 
ruined myself by abusing divine mercies. 
The thought of being banished from Ciod was 
not near so painful to me, as the idea of having 
trampled upon his goodness and grieved his 
spirit. 



19 



Such was my distress at this time, that I 
could neither labour, eat, nor sleep. I would 
sometimes retire into the woods or fields, and, 
throwing myself on the ground, implore the 
forgiveness of an offended God. When at 
church, the sermon afforded no consolation, and 
when I read the Scriptures, condemnation 
seemed written on every page. Though I 
could see a sufficiency in the atonement of 
Christ for a world of transgressors, yet I 
thought myself excluded from its benefits, and 
was tempted to terminate my earthly career. 
In this deplorable state of mind I w^ould often 
gaze upon the birds of the air or beasts of the 
field — ^yea, even the meanest reptile that 
crawls upon the earth, and envy each the hap- 
piness they enjoyed. Oh ! how I should have 
rejoiced to hear that there was even a possi- 
bility for so great A sinner to be saved. I 
would gladly have gone to the uttermost parts 
of the earth to obtain an assurance that I could 
yet find pardon. I was at the same time fiUed 
with awful fears, and when in the fields, at 
prayer, I often became agitated, suddenly 
rose from my knees, and went home. The 
appearance of the smallest animal would ter- 
rify me, though I never attributed the approach 



20 



of one to any supernatural cause. It only 
showed my weak state of body, produced by 
extreme distress of mind. 

When about two months had thus passed 
away, I one day went through a beautiful 
field of wheat corn, which had just begun to 
turn yellow. Standing on an eminence where 
I could overlook the whole, I said to myself, 
** God knows if each grain of wheat in this 
field was a globe of gold as large as the earth, 
and in my possession, I would cheerfully give 
all to know whether I could find mercy in the 
sight of God. Yea, if every grain of sand on 
earth were a globe of gold as large as the sun, 
I would freely give them, if mine, to be deli- 
vered from this load of sin, ay, and ten thou- 
sand times more." The reader mayrest as- 
sured 1 am not painting my situation in colours 
too dark, for my pen can never describe the 
agony and distress of a sinner labouring under 
a sense of the wrath of God. I have many a 
time wished to fall back into nothing, or to 
have my name and memory obliterated for 
ever. But I knew I was destined for im- 
mortality, and felt that for my sins I should be 
banished from God and from angels — ^yea from 
everything that was good or desirable. Then 



21 



would I exclaim — Wo! wo is me, for I am 
undone ! How can I stand before the face of 
that Judge, whose dignity I have insulted, 
whose law I have transgressed, whose mercy 
i have abused, and whose spirit I have a thou- 
sand times grieved ? Ye mountains and hills, 
fall and cover me from his face. But ah ! 
how fruitless the wish, these cannot cover me 
from the face of him that filleth immensity. I 
continued to feel that I had sinned away my 
day of grace. " The whole head is sick, and 
the whole heart faint. From the sole of the 
foot even to the head, there is no soundness in 
it; but wounds and bruises and putrefying 
sores." This was the language I adopted, and 
there seemed to be no remedy. I could not 
believe that I was included among the sinners 
that Christ came to save. Now I resolved to 
make myself better, knowing, if I remained as 
I was, God would frown me from his face for 
ever ; then I felt that the description given by 
the Apostle Paul, of a person struggling for li- 
berty, was exactly suited to my case. " To 
will is present with me, but how to perform 
that which is good I find not. For the good 
that I would, that I do not; but the evil which 
I would not, that I do." These fears and sox- 
2* 



22 



rows had now followed me for three months, 
and now all nature seemed to wear a gloomy 
aspect — the skies were hung m mourning. 
When I gazed at the sun, he seemed to weep, 
and the pale moon shed tears of sorrow. The 
trees of the forest appeared to be distressed, 
the corn seemed to droop and the grass ^ to 
wither at my approach. The flowers of the 
garden had lost their loveliness, and the notes 
of the birds had lost their music ; nothing on 
earth was pleasant or agreeable to me. The 
constant language of my heart was, " O 
wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me 
from the body of this death." I felt the dis- 
pleasure of God resting on me, and acknow- 
ledged the justice of his severit}". 

" Guilty I stand before thy face ; 
On me I feel thy wrath abide ; 
'Tis jnst the sentence should take place, 
'Tis just ;— but, 0, thy Son hath died !" 

And shall I never see the face of that dear 
Saviour who shed his blood, for me and all 
mankind ^ I cannot bear the thought, and shall I 
bear the reality with all its consequences ? But 
I felt as though I could not live in this state of 
mind, and if I must perish, I resolved to do so 



23 



at the feet of Jesus. I felt encouraged and 
ltd a. though I could cast ^^^ 
reserve, on the merey of God m Chns Je^- 
I said, O Jesus, if thou wdt thou can.t mal.e 
„,eci;an,thoughIa» the chief of stnner. 

thou wilt cast me off thou art just, and I will 
t.nb y bow before thee andhear the sentence 
oreonlemnation. N-ertheless, if such a sin- 
ner as I am can find merey, let me now find 
It, and I will praise thy name for ever foi my 
deliverance. " Thy will be done. 

Thank God ! the dark side of my nauatne 
i, ended, while I thus pleaded with God, and 
: ouncid all fovhim,he graciously "revealed 
his Son in my heart." A scene entuely new 
presented itself to my mind. It seemed as If a 
Lrk cloud had suddenly been..emoved=md 
the sun made to shine in all its fulness , foi the 
' 4,ressible sorrow of my heart was tunied 
T'lov unspeakable and full of glory. I 
waited patiently for the Lord; and he mchned 
:::m:and heard my cry. He brougb m 
up also out of a horrible pit, and out of the 
miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and 
Sushed my goings. And "e hath put 
new song in my mouth, -f /"'^^ "~ 
God : many shaU see it, and fear, and trust m 



1^4 



the Lord." Praises to God spontaneously and 
irresistibly flowed from my heart — my new- 
born soul was filled with hallelujahs to God and 
the Lamb. This ecstatic joy lasted for about 
an hour, when a doubt arose in my mind 
whether God could pardon such a sinner as I 
had been. I prayed earnestly that God wouH 
condescend, in mercy, to give me a clear evi- 
dence of my acceptance, that should remove 
all doubts and fears from my mind. This in- 
estimable favour was granted me in the fol- 
lowing manner : — While musing on my strange 
feelings, suddenly there appeared before my 
mind a person, as plain as though I had seen 
with my natural eyes. He was clothed with a. 
cloud as white as snow. His face appeared 
more glorious than the radiant beams of the 
sun. On his countenance was a smile that 
would make all nature rejoice. From wounds 
in his hands, and feet, and side, flowed streams 
of blood. This was a contrast so beautiful and 
lovely, that angels could admire and gaze 
astonished. He appeared standing erect, with 
his hands outstretched, as when a parent in- 
vites his child to come to him. His whole as- 
pect was ineffably glorious, and left an im- 
pression on my mind that eternity can never 



25 



efface, though the vision remained but a short 
time. This took place on the eighth day ot 
July, one thousand eight hundred and eight, 
about four o'clock in the afternoon, then it was 
that my doubts were dispelled myburden was 

removed, and the " love of God shed abroad m^ 
my heart by the Holy Ghost given unto me. 
A^this moment the last words of Christ to his 
disciples were forcibly applied to my mind-- 
.. Go^ye into all the world and preach the gospel 
to every creature." 

AUthis occurred within an hour from the 
time I first cast myself upon the Sa^^our,andI 
continued to feel happy in God, Ml of grati- 
tude and praise. The world around seemed 
new-all nature smiled, and the glory of God 
^Bhone forth from every object. I was in a 
^eld when God thus blessed me, and when 1 
returned home I found my father, to whom 
I communicated the joyful news by repeating 
the following lines :— 

-Should storms of seven-fold thunder roll, 
And shake the globe from pole to pole ; 
No thunder-bolt shall daunt my face, 
For Jesus is my hiding place." 

. My heart was fUled ^vah heavenly peace, and 
I spent the evening in walking the yard and 



26 



fields, praising the Lord for his goodness. I 
slept none during the night, but it soon passed 
away, and the most glorious morning appeared 
that I ever beheld. While the natural sun 
arose and gladdened the earth, the sun of 
righteousness arose with healing in his wings, 
upon my soul. All nature praised the Lord — 
the birds, with their sweet warbling notes, 
were as so many angels sent with their instru- 
ments of music to congratulate me on my ad- 
mission into the family of God. The whole 
expanse of heaven seemed as the dome of the 
great temple of the great Jehovah, whom I 
now knew to be my father and friend. 

Reflections. — There are many young- 
people who, like the subject of the foregoing 
narrative, have been favoured with a pious 
father. His instructions and advices have been 
affectionately given, a,nd they have been listen- 
ed to with tearful eye. God, in his merc}^ 
has applied the truth spoken to the enlightening 
and conviction of the heart ; and those thus 
affected have, in early life, seen the beauty of 
rehgion, and promised to embrace the gospel 
in all its richness and efficiency. But alas ! 
how many have been deprived of these bless- 
ings by procrastination, Satan has thus gained 



27 



advantage over them, and many young men 
have spent years in sin, without enjoying any of 
its pleasures, such as they are. And why? 
Because God would not allow them to forget 
the admonitions and prayers of a pious parent ; 
and in the midst of gay companions and sinful 
dissipation, the remembrance of these prove an 
arrow in the heart. To such one word of ad- 
vice may here be properly given. Bear in 
mind that you are not only causing yourself 
misery, but it is more than probable that the 
heart of your affectionate father or mother is 
almost broken on account of your profligacy 
and violation of their precepts. If you have 
any love for them, or regard for your own 
welfare, now — -this day — " consecrate your- 
selves to the service of God." 

" Be wise to day ; 'tis madness to defer ; 
Next day the fatal precedent will plead ; 
Thus on till wisdom is push'd out of life. 
Procrastination is the thief of time ; 
Year after year it steals, till all are fled, 
And to the mercies of a moment leaves 
The vast concerns of an eternal scene." 

" It is good for a m.an to bear the yoke in his 
youth." In after-life the benefit will be felt. — 
Yea, through eternit}^ it will be the cause of 

joy- 



im 



Pious parents may also take encouragement. 
We have before us an instance of the advan- 
tages of religious instruction. Our children 
may seem to forget what we have said, but if 
we have spoken in the fear of the Lord, wa- 
tering the seed of the word with our tears and 
prayers, we shall see the fruit after many days. 
•Religious impressions made in early life are 
-seldom, if ever obliterated, and we ought to 
take courage, attending to the advice of Solo- 
mon — " In the morning sow thy seed, and in 
the evening withhold not thine hand ; for thou 
knowest not whether shall prosper, either this 
or that, or whether they both shall be alike 
^good." 



m 



CHAPTER II. 

Entrance into the Ministry — First Official Appoint- 
ment — Travels and Labours in the United States. 



It would have been gratifjdng to the author 
jS, at this period of his life, he could have re- 
ferred to his youthful days, as a time when 
his mind had been stored with useful know- 
ledge, which, as the sequel will show, might 
have been of essential service to him and be- 
nefit to the world. It is true God can, and 
often does, make use of the weakest instru- 
ments to effect great objects, nevertheless, 
learning, literary acquirements are by no means 
to be deprecated ; and it is very probable that 
though an illiterate person may be made useful 
in bringing sinners to God, yet if the same 
individual had possessed knowledge commen- 
surate with his zeal, and both these employed 
under the influence of christian humility, he 
would have been much more useful. How- 



30 



ever, the subject of this narrative never had 
any educational privileges — he was not even 
favoured with a common school training. That 
part of the country where he was born, at 
that time, afforded few opportunities of edu- 
cating poor children. Nine months schooling, 
at four separate intervals, was all he ever re- 
ceived, and that was divided between the Ger- 
man and English languages. While many of 
his brethren were studjdng the languages and 
their grammars, with other branches of science 
and polite literature, he was employed in the 
field, steadying the plough or using the axe. 
It is therefore with considerable diffidence that 
he lays before them and the public a brief ac- 
count of his ministerial labours and travels in 
this countr}^ and elsewhere. 

No sooner was I converted, and felt the love 
of God in my heart, than I desired that others 
should enjoy the blessings of salvation. On 
the fourth day after I was delivered from my 
distress, I attended a meeting at a neighbour's 
house. There were many of m}' young com- 
panions in the congregation. I felt so much 
interested for them, that, after the sermon was 
ended, I voluntarily arose and told them what 
God had done for me, at the same time ex- 



3^1 



hortin- them to " seek the Lord," and tlee " from 
the wrath to come." This coming from one 
Avho had for several years joined them in sm 
and folly, made a deep impression on many of 
their hearts. About two weeks after this 1 met 
a company of young people, who had agreed 
to assemble together for amusement and pas- 
time, by singing hymns. None of them bemg 
serious, I thought this a favourable opportunity 
to recommend them to embrace religion. I 
went forward— took a hymnbook— gave out a 
hymn, and after it was sung, I began to ex- 
hort them, saying—" Repent ye, for the kmg- 
dom of heaven is at hand." After relatmg my 
experience-telling them what God had done 
for me, the spirit of the Lord moved upon theu^ 
hearts, and many of them began to weep— yea, 
before I had done speaking, some cried aloud 
for mercy. I concluded by prayer, and made 
an appointment to meet them again. On this 
day the Lord began a glorious work among the 
young people of that place, it was the com- 
mencement of a wonderful reA'ival, which, by 
the grace of God, brought hundreds, both young 
and old, into the church of God. At a meeting 
held about two weeks after this, we had ano- 
ther gracious manifestation of the goodness and 



32 



power of God. The work spread rapidly — 
far and wide — so that in about six months from 
its commencement I had to attend a meeting 
nearly every evening in the week. The Lord 
soon raised up helps, and the work having 
spread into other counties, much of mj'' time 
was occupied in travelling from place to place, 
to invite sinners to Jesus, and direct the peni^ 
tent to " the Lamb of God that taketh away 
the sin of the world." This work began in 
Fairfield County, Ohio, in the year 1808 — and 
of those who were then brought to God — some 
few have returned to the beggarly elements of 
the world — many have fallen asleep in Jesus 
and are praising God in glory — some are en- 
gaged in the work of the ministry, and others 
are pressing " toward the mark for the prize 
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 
*' And they shall be mine, saith the Lord 
of hosts, in that day when I make up my 
jewels ; and I will spare them, as a man spareth 
his own son that serve th him." 

Li June 1809, the conference of " the United 
Brethren in Christ" was held in Ross County, 
Ohio ; from that body I received my first li- 
cence to preach. The following autumn, hav- 
ing some business to transact in the State of 



33 



Virginia, I went thither and remained nea% 
three months. During my stay in this state I 
preached every Sabbath, and the Lord blessed 
iny feeble labours. Through the goodness of 
God I was, at this time, made instrumental m 
the conversion of an uncle, who, some yeais 
since, died in the State of Indiana. He was a 
minister of the gospel, and departed this hfe 
happy in the enjoyment of that religion he had 
recommended to others. From Virgmia I re- 
turned to Ohio, where I remained eighteen 
months, endeavouring all the lime to make my- 
self useful ; and I had here again the gratifica. 
tion of seeing the work of God spread arid re- 
vive. In May 1811, bidding farewell to 
my family, consisting of my father, step- 
mother, and two brothers, younger than my- 
self, I set out for Carlisle, in Pennsylvania 
Near this place the conference of the united 
brethren in Christ was in session, and from 
them I received an appointment to travel on a 
circuit. Its extent was nearly eight hundred 
miles in circumference. I travelled round this 
circuit, once in every eight weeks, preaching 
twice every six days out of seven, and on the 
Sabbath generally preached an additional ser- 
mon. We h^d gracious visitations from Hea- 



34 

ven, all round the circuit. In Sharpsburgh, 
Maiyland, especially, the spirit of God was 
wonderfully poured out, and many were con- 
verted. In almost every place on the circuit, 
I had the gratification to see fruit from the seed 
of the word which had been sown. I continued 
my labours here for nine months, and the fol- 
lowing three months wore spent in the state of 
Virginia, where also I saw many blessed mani- 
festations of the saving power of the gospel of 
Christ. This year (1812) I entered into the 
marriage state, and in 1813 returned to the 
state of Ohio, with my wife and one child. 
Here I travelled most of the time till 1815, 
during which time the Lord was graciously 
present with me, and a goodly number were 
converted from the error of their ways. 

This part of my narrative will not be found 
as interesting as I could wish, owing to the de- 
struction ofmy manuscripts during my absence 
and the sickness of my wife, by a woman who 
knew not what she was doing, being unable to 
read. I have thereibre to depend upon my 
memory for the general incidents and facts. 
By the above accident I have lost many par- 
ticulars and interesting facts which would have 
been gratifying to the reader. To keep the 



35 



thread of my narrative I may as well just state, 
that in the summer of 1815 I went as mis- 
sionary to the state of Indiana, which, at that 
time was, for the most part, a new and uncul- 
tivated settlement ; uncultivated both in respect 
to its lands and people. After spending some 
time here, I returned to Ohio, for my little fa- 
mily, consisting of my wife and one child, the 
Lord having called one to himself previous to 
our removal. We resided in the state of In- 
diana from 1815 to 1829 ; during the first year 
I travelled a circuit of several hundred miles, 
and saw some good done. After this I did not 
confine myself to any particular circuit, but 
travelled extensively in the states of Ohio, Ma- 
ryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, 
Tennessee, and IS'orth CaroHna. Some of these 
journeys f undertook on foot, and, when my 
strength would allow, I preached in the neigh- 
bourhoods and villages as I passed along. 
During all this time I received no regular sa- 
lary, and was sometimes without a single dollar, 
not knowing from whence one would come, not 
even a morsel of bread, and this too several 
hundred miles from home and friends. But 
God was my friend, and to this date, Sep. 21, 
1836, I have never suffered for want of food or 



36 



raiment. In Indiana, however, I had maisy 
crosses, hardships, and persecutions, so that'I 
was necessitated, for various and conscientious 
reasons, to leave the church and conference of 
which I had been a member for twelve years. 
Many of the brethren of that denomination were 
dear to me, but peace of mind was dearer still, 
and to secure this I was constrained to sepa- 
rate from them. 

I continued to travel and preach for several 
years after this without a recognized connec- 
tion with any religious denomination. To me 
this course was unsatisfactory, and moreover I 
considered it contrary to the dispensation of the 
gospel, inasmuch as my labours might be more 
efficient, if wisely directed by matured coun- 
sels. The German Reformed Church was that 
of my choice, and I communicated my deter- 
mination to join that body, to Rev. T. W. a 
a member of the German Reformed Synod of 
Ohio. He, by letter, kindly invited me to at- 
tend the next session of the synod, which I did» 
and my application being brought before the 
session, received the approbation of the same, 
and I was admitted into that body. This was 
in J827, and in the same year I obtained can- 
didate's licence. In the spring of 1828 I re- 



37 



ceived a call to become pastor of a German 
church in New-Orleans. I received ordination 
for that purpose, in Canton, Stark County, 
Ohio ; but previous to my departure for New- 
Orleans, I fulfilled an engagement to go on a 
mission for two months to the states of Indiana, 
Illinois, and Missouri. After the time was ex- 
pired, I proceeded from New-Madrid to New- 
Orleans, to make the necessary arrangements 
for the settlement and comfort of my family. 
This being done, they arrived safe in March 
1829, and we remained in New-Orleans and 
its vicinity for six years. The first two years 
of this time was devoted to preaching the gos- 
pel in the German language ; but it was not 
possible to remain there, without being re- 
duced, next to absolute starvation. I there- 
fore left, and went to the Balize, at the 
mouth of the Mississippi ; where I preached to 
the pilots and taught a school. In this situa- 
tion I remained one year, but innumerable dif- 
ficulties compassed me about, these citizens 
were too hard for me, and I was forced to leave 
them. In order to procure a living for my fa- 
mily, I was, from sheer necessity, compelled 
to seek a situation under government. I suc- 
ceeded, and was appointed to take charge of 
3 



38 

the light-house on' South Point, at the mouth of 
the south pass of the jNIississippi. This situation 
yielded me an income, every thing considered, 
of about twelve hundred dollars a year. It 
was all sufficient to maintain my family com- 
fortably, but it could not procure me peace of 
mind. I was harassed with the conviction that 
I was not in my proper place, nor doing the 
work God had assigned me. He had given 
me grace and some degree of talent, and where- 
fore ? Not to bury them in a sand-bar, or under 
a light-house, but to use to his glory, and the 
good of others. So powerfully did I feel this 
applied to my mind, that I was assured if I 
remained in this situation, I should suffer the 
doom of the unprofitable servant mentioned in 
the gospel — be taken, bound hand and foot, and 
cast into outer darkness. Under these impres- 
sions, and from a conviction of duty, I resigned 
my situation under government, and removed 
my family to the city of New-Orleans in No- 
vember 1634. This was done in the fear of 
the Lord, with a full resolution to attend to the 
commission which, I believe, the Lord gave me, 
when he delivered me from my sins, and " shed 
his love abroad in my heart, by the Holy Ghost 
given unto rae." 



39 

Reflections. — It is truly pleasing to mark 
the various ways and means Almighty God 
adopts to carry on his own work. Some of 
these are beyond the comprehension of short- 
sighted man, and some of them are contrary to 
that philosophy which, in its operation, requires 
precision, accuracy, premeditation, and all the 
et ceteras of refined education. Not that these 
are objectionable — they are unquestionably ne- 
cessary for the most part ; but that there can 
be no unbending standard, no unalterable prin- 
ciples for the divine government, in respect to 
his choice of agents, for the world's conversion, 
is a position supported by scriptural testimony, 
and universal experience. " God hath chosen 
the foolish things of the world, to confound the 
wise ; and God hath chosen the weak things 
of the world to confound the things which are 
mighty ;" while for the same great object he 
has miraculously secured the talents and pro- 
found learning of a Paul, who was brought up 
at the feet of Gamaliel. The great requisite 
for a preacher of the gospel is " simplicity and 
godly sincerity." With these, a plain and 
earnest statement of experimental religion, — the 
doctrines, duties, and benefits of Christianity, 
will produce wonderful effects. By thi^ means 



40 



many may be aroused to a sense of their danger 
by reason of sin, who would remain" careless 
and indifferent under the deliverance of a pro- 
found argument or erudite exposition of truth. 
This position is illustrated by the histoiy of the 
man out of whom our Lord had cast a legion 
of devils. " The whole multitude of the country 
of the Gadarenes round about besought Jesus 
to depart from them." But the poor demoniac, 
who had received so much good at the hands of 
Jesus, wished to remain with the Saviour. 
" But Jesus sent him away, saying, ' Return 
to thine own house, and show how great things 
God hath done unto thee.' And he went his 
way, and published throughout the whole city 
how great things Jesus had done unto him.". 
This poor man could do little more than relate 
his experience, and tell of the power and good- 
ness of Jesus, but this he was commanded to 
do, and that too immediately after the change 
had been wrought upon him. Of the extent of his 
usefulness we are unable to judge, but the evan- 
gelist says, — " It came to pass, that, when Jesus 
was returned, the people gladly received him; 
for they were all waiting for him." So God bafe 
performed his own work in his own way, and 
confounded the " world who by wisdom knew 



4J 



not God." He is still doing thus, and we have 
no reason to find fault with his arrangements. 
'* Thus saith thg Lord, let not the wise man 
glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty 
man glory in his might, let not the rich man 
glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth 
glory in . this, that he understandeth and 
knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exer- 
cise loving kindness, judgment and righteous- 
ness, in the earth : for in these things I delight, 
saith the Lord." 



42 



CHAPTER III. 

Voyage to Germany — Arrival at Hamhurgli and, 
Reception there. 

There are many events that occur in the 
life of man over which he seems to have no 
control. Every man is destined to occupy 
some particular sphere of labour, and the ar- 
rangements of Providence which lead to that, 
are frequently mysterious and incomprehen- 
sible. Nevertheless, " all things work together 
for good to them that love God," and he who 
trusts in the Lord, will be directed safely 
through the intricate contingencies of life, and 
in the end be constrained to say, " O the depth 
of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge 
of God ! How unsearchable are his judgments, 
and his ways past finding out ! As we journey 
through life, these things strike our minds with 
great force, and as we look around us and mark 
the finger of God, pointing out to us the way 



we should take, we are astonished at the good- 
ness of our heavenly Father, and gratefully ex- 
claim with the Psalmist' — " My times are in 
thine hand." 

Early in the month of January 1835, I be- 
came acquainted with Capt. J. W. Wendt, of the 
Prussian ship. Princess Louisa, then at New- 
Orleans, bound for Hamlpurgh. Germany be- 
came the subject of our conversation, for I had 
often wished to visit that country, in the belief 
that, by the preaching of the gospel among its 
inhabitants, much good might be done. I ob- 
served to the captain, that I had not been able 
to accomplish my desires, being a poor man, 
and having a large family, their constant wants 
precluded the possibility of affording it. The 
captain very kindly invited me to sail with 
him, assuring me of his willingness to make 
every arrangement for my convenience and 
accommodation. On the second Sabbath in 
January I preached a sermon, in the German 
language, on board the ship Princess Louisa. 
The heart of the friendly captain was evidently 
affected by the word spoken, and he again in- 
vited me to sail with him, peremptorily offering 
me a free passage — said he, " I will take you 
to Hamburgh, and it shall not cost you any 



1 



44 



thing." Though I was inchned to accept his 
ojBTer at once, and go, yet I thought on the dis- 
tance of six thousand miles, between myself 
and family, should I go, and the apparent im^ 
probability of my obtaining means to return, 
I thus reasoned with the captain — ^but, said he, 
" It shall cost you nothing to Hambm'gh, and, 
if I do not return, I will cause you to be de- 
livered on the American shore again, if that be 
the will of God." This conversation I related 
to some of my pious friends, — one, a preacher 
in the Methodist Church, said, " I believe 
brother, the providence of God is in it, and you 
must go." There was now only one objection 
or hindrance, that was a formidable one to be 
sure, and I could not conscientiously leave my 
home unless it were removed. It was this — I 
had not received the consent of my family, and 
unless they were willing, I could not go. But 
I knew the Lord had the hearts of all in his 
control, and if it were really his will that I 
should visit Germany, (as the methodist brother 
suggested) he would influence their hearts ac- 
cordingly. I made it a subject of especial 
prayer to Almighty God, that he would guide 
me aright, believing that, if my family con- 
sented freely and unequivocally, it would be 



45 

evidence of his wiU in this affair. After the 
lapse of a few days the whole of my family, 
with one consent, said,—" go in the name of the 
Lord, we will try to do without you till your 
return." This was on the twentieth day of 
Januaiy, and the ship was appointed to sail on 
the twenty-fourth. WhHe at the hght-house, 
a few months before, I had caught a large saw 
fish, the skin of which I had preserved. For 
this Captain Wendt offered me one hundred 
doUars, which I accepted. This enabled me 
to procure what was necessaiy for the voyage, 
and on Saturday the 24th January, 1835, I 
went on board the Princess Louisa, it being 
understood she would leave the port that even- 
ing. The wind, however, was so liigh, that 
the captain of the tow-boat would not venture 

out. 

Sunday, 25th. This morning the wmd has 
abated, we lay at the wharf until two o'clock, 
P. M., when the tow-boat, Postpay, Captam 
Anable, took us off, and we glided slowly down 
the Mississippi. At 8 o'clock in the evening, 
the wind being ahead, and a dense fog having 
collected, we could not proceed, aiid were, 
therefore, obhged to come to anchor. Soon 
after, a frightful thunder-storm commenced, 
3* 



46 

which continued for about half a« hour-the 
hghtnmg was awfuUy terrific, and struck a 
farm-house that stood near-it took fire-in 
five mmutes was in full blaze, and was, in a 
very short time, reduced to ashes. The storm 
abated, but d^ night continued dark andfoggy.. 
Monday 26th. The fog stUl continues^To 
hick that we cannot see the shore on either. 

^eofthern-e,.. At nine o'clock the fog cleared 
oiF the day became pleasant-we weighed 
anew, and got under way, having a pleasant 
view of the sugar-farms on the banks of the 
nob e aiKl beautiful Mississippi. 1„ the even! 
ngthe fog arose and we were again obhged 
to come to anchor. On Tuesdav 97,h 

, "^" -tuesciay .i/th, we got 

to the bar, but could proceed no farther in 
consequence of the prevalence of the fog, which 
continued tnuil the 30th. On the WedLesda" 

wirtr^f r'°™ "°^^' — p--d 

with terrific lightnn,g,_a dreadful flish of 
which ran down our foremast, and seemed to 
break into particles, and distributed itself thus 
on the deck. We were thankful the ship Tus^ 
tained no injury. On Tliursday, 29th, the fog 
contmumg, the captain, several saUors, and 
myself,^tookthe jolly-boat and went gunnin. 
aon h„e. We shot several birds, fnd r^! 
turned to our vessel. 



47 



Friday, 30th. This morning the wind 
changed, and the fog clearing ofF, at 9 o'clock 
we weighed anchor, and at 10 got to sea. The 
wind blew very fresh, and we steered our 
course under double-reefed top-sails. The sea 
rose very high, the waves were as mountains, 
and broke over each other in terrible majesty. 
This to me, who had never been to sea before, 
was a beautiful and interesting sight. I en- 
ioyed it, because I felt no inclination to sea- 
sickness, and was flattering myself that I should 
escape that troublesome companion of the 
ocean. But a few hours after I was convmced 
of my error, and the rolling and tossing of the 
vessel, produced the same effects on me, as on 
most others, who were strangers to the sea. 

Nothing of any particular moment occurred 
during several days of our voyage, and it would 
be useless and tedious to detail the events ot 
each day, as they cannot differ much from 
those which occur on every ordmaiy passage 
across the Atlantic. We had prayers in the 
cabin every evening, and preaching on Sabbath 
when the weather would allow. We had all 
varieties of weather, sometimes pleasant, at 
other times rough and uncomfortable. We 
also, on several occasions, saw the wonders ot 



48 



God in the deep. On the 3d of February se- 
veral dolphins were near us, in the Gulf 
stream, but we could not catch any. On 
Saturday, 7th, we saw three whales that ap- 
peared to be forty or fifty feet in length. It 
was quite amusing to us to see these monsters 
of the deep, force or spout the water into the 
air, a great height. They must have strong 
lungs. When the weather is rough I endure 
much sickness, so that a calm day and plea- 
sant weather is quite a treat. Such an one was 
Tuesday, 10th, for scarcely a ripple disturbed 
the bosom of the " vasty deep," and our ship 
lay nearly still, and the men busy arranging 
matters about the vessel. Nothing particular 
occurred from this date to the 21st. I was 
sick, and therefore unable to write. 

On Sunday, 22d, a gale of wind arose, and 
our captain ordered all sail furled except the 
main-top sail, which remained close reefed, 
and the fore sail reefed. The see ran high, 
but the captain ran before the wind as far and 
as long as he deemed it safe and expedient. 
On the 26th he hove too, and we remained 
nearly stationary until next day, when we again 
made sail and ran our course. The weather 
gets colder every hour as we approach nearer 



49 

the British coast. From this cold I suiFered 
much, as I have been in a warm climate for the 
last six years, where cold weather is never 
felt, or only comparatively. 

Sunday, March 1st. This morning we made 
the Lizard light in the English Channel, but 
did not make much progress either this or the 
next day, the wind being light, and the tide 
against us. On the 3d, in consequence of a 
gale, we layed too, nearly all day, close 
under Brighton, in England. Toward evening 
the wind abated, — we made sail, and on the 
fourth passed through the English Channel and 
entered the North Sea. Thursday, 5th. This 
evening we drew near Heligoland, but, in con- 
sequence of a gale of wind arising, were obhged 
to stand off. It became stronger and stronger, 
until it blew harder than we had experienced 
it during the whole voyage. The captain, 
judging from his barometer, believed it would 
be still worse. However I had confidence in 
that God who had preserved us thus far, and I 
could not believe that he had brought me to 
the North Sea to be drowned. The weather 
was very severe, notwithstanding, and I had 
to hold on with both hands, in order to pr©» 
vent myself from falHng out of my berth. 



50 



Saturday, 7th. Last night we made the He- 
ligoland light, and this morning early we passed 
a small island, which is a very high rock rising 
perpendicularly out of the sea. It has a sur- 
face of three miles land, with upwards of three 
thousand inhabitants, who live by fishing and 
piloting ships to the mouth of the Elbe. Here 
we got a pilot, for thirty dollars, who took us 
as far as the floating light-house, where we got 
another one. The wind and tide being now 
against us, we had hard work to gain the har- 
bour. Our pilot got drunk and run us ashore, — 
we should most certainly have been wrecked, 
but, providentially for us, it was flood tide, 
which took us off" again in a few hours, and in 
the evening we safely anchored in Cuxhaven. 

Sunday, 8th. This morning an officer came 
on board, who inquired after many things ap- 
pertaining to the ship, and crew, &c. About noon 
we weighed anchor, and having the wind and 
tide in our favour, we proceeded up the Elbe. 
Night came on — the tide turned, and we 
again anchored. Monday, 9th. This morning 
got under way, and, as we passed up the river, 
we had a beautiful view of the houses and 
gardens on the banks, and at eleven, a. m. we 
cast anchor at Hamburgh, the place of our des- 



51 



tination. The captain and I immediately went 
ashore, and proceeded to the house of his 
mother-in-law, where the captain resides when 
in this port. He was received with great cor- 
diality, yea with open arms, by his mother-in- 
law and the whole family. I was introduced 
and received with all the friendship a stranger 
could wish for, in a strange land. Gratitude 
flowed from my heart to the giver of " every 
good and perfect gift," that he had brought me 
safely through the perils of the deep, and placed 
me in a distant land, where the kindness of 
new friends, in some measure, made up for the 
absence of old ones. 

In my native land I never was without 
friends, but now I was thousands of miles from 
them — the "great and wide sea" between us — 
no acquaintance with any individual in Ham- 
burgh except the kind captain with whom I 
came, and very little with which to procure the 
necessaries of life. Captain Wendt procured 
me a comfortable lodging next door to his own 
house. Some of the famil}', with whom I re- 
sided, were religiously inchned, though, I fear, 
they had not experienced that change of heart, 
without which no man or woman can be a 
Christian. They were very land to me, a 



52 



more friendly family I have seldom met with. 
They could not have treated me with more be- 
nevolence and respect, had I been their own 
father. 

Reflections. — When men voluntarily forego 
the pleasures of home, and resign the tender 
associations of early and matured friendship, 
they ought to have some definite object in view, 
and when that is in accordance with the will 
of God, they may rely upon his guidance and 
direction. If their purpose be to glorify God, 
and to endeavour to be instrumental of good to 
the perishing sons of Adam, he who gave his 
Son to die for all, will make their way cleai*. 
Should such be destined to foreign lands, they 
will find no lack of friends. God can make 
the wrath of man to praise him, and even those 
principles in the nature of man, which ai'e op- 
posed to the gospel of Christ, can be, and often 
are, softened down, so that the ministers of 
Christ are treated with affectionate good will. 
It is then that we are led to admire the wisdom 
and goodness of God — it is then also that we 
are able to take a proper estimate of the value 
of friendship. This can scarcely be done un- 
der ordinary circumstances — it is when we 
need friends, or when they are absent from us, 



I 



53 

that we ascertain their worth. It is then that 
every act of kindness is felt most powerfully, 
and our gratitude most easily excited. There 
is nothing, however, which can sustain a man 
more surely, than the knowledge of friendship 
existing between himself and his God. It is 
this which will enable its possessor to triumph 
over every difficulty of hfe, in the midst of 
danger and in the hour of sohtude, when no 
earthly friend is near, he can say — 

" Peace, doubting heart, my God's I am ; 
Who formed me man forbids my fear ; 
The Lord hath call'd me by my name : 

The Lord protects for over near : 
His blood for me did once atone. 
And still he loves and guards his own." 



M 



CHAPTER IV. 

Became acquainted tvia several Clergymen— Inter^ 
esung visit to a pious Family-An Invitation to 
go to the Theatre—Bachelor's Chih— Visit to the 
Mayor of Hamiurgh— Preparation to visit 
Berlin. 

The following chapters of this narrative will 
consist chiefly of extracts from a journal writ- 
ten, for the most part, at the time the inci- 
dents and facts related, took place. It will 
give a better idea of the labom^s and visits of 
Rev. H. Hiestand, to diflferent places and 
churches, if the form of a diary is preserved, 
and the circumstances and dates chronologi- 
cally arranged. ^ 

Tuesday, March 10, 1835. I felt it to be 
my duty, as soon as possible, to make myself 
acquainted with those who feared the Lord, 
and especially with the ministers of religion! 
I, therefore, on this day visited some clergy- 
men and others. My first call was made upon 



55 

the Rev. Mr. Reader, an English dissenter, 
who has a church and congregation in this 
cit5^ He received me with great pohteness, 
and, after some conversation, kindly offered 
me the use of his pulpit. He had a meeting 
next evening, at which he invited me to preach- 
On this day I also visited the Rev. Mr. Oncken, 
a member of the Baptist Church, and agent 
of the Edinburgh Bible Societ3^ I believe 
this gentleman to be pions and devoted to God. 
The evening of this day was pleasantly and 
profitably spent with the family of Captain 
Wendt. His sister-in-law has been for some 
time under religious exercises of mind, yet does 
not feel herself reconciled to God. Of late her 
hope in Christ has become stronger; but, as 
yet, she does not enjoy so clear an evidence of 
her acceptance with God as she most ardently 
wishes for. I endeavoured to encourage her 
to trust in God, giving her all the instruction I 
could, relating to the things of God, after whicli 
I returned home. This evening, ^yhile at fa- 
mily prayer, the Lord abundant^ blessed me, 
and my soul was filled with divine love. I re- 
tired to rest, but was so happy as to walk my 
room till one o'clock, when I lay down. But 
m}^ soul was so drawn out in prayer and praise 



56 



that I did not fall asleep till near day. I awoke 
soon after, and found the Lord as precious to 
my soul as before. My heart was full — indeed 
it seemed like a new conversion, for I possessed 
the same extatic joy I felt when God changed 
my heart, bringing me " from darkness to 
light, and from tlie power of Satan unto God." 
Now also I had a full assurance that it was the 
will of God I should come to Europe, or why 
was I so abundantly blessed ? " Bless the 
Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, 
bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my 
soul, and forget not all his benefits." 

Wednesday, 11th. This morning I rose 
from my bed praising the Lord. Tears of joy 
and thankfulness flowed from my eyes, because 
of the blessings bestowed on me a poor worm 
of the earth, in a strange land. The loving- 
kindness of God is new every morning and re- 
newed every evening. I now sat down to 
write a letter to Brother Tally, the Methodist 
friend, in New-Orleans, who had encouraged 
me to visit Germany. My soul was exceed- 
ingly joyful, and I could say but little more than 
tell him how happy I was. Just as I had 
finished my letter, Captain Wendt came in, 
and told me he had been as happy in his room 



57 

as I had been in mine.. I had given him the 
letter to read, and he perused it with tears of 
joy. The flame of affection ah'eady enldndled 
in each others' heart was now excited by sym- 
pathetic joy, and in a moment we embraced 
each other. Greater happiness could not be 
enjoyed by any two human beings on this side 
the grave. David and Jonathan could scarcely 
love each other more. After we had spent an 
hour in this happy state, we separated in peace, 
the captain returning home. 

Shortly after this, Mr. P., a candidate for the 
ministry, called upon me, as I had expected, 
and before we had exchanged many words, 
we were in each others' arms. I told him I was 
happy in the enjoyment of the love of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, and he seemed to feel; but, from 
his looks, I judged he had never witnessed such 
a scene before. The fact is, as I soon learned, 
the people here are very backward to confess 
Christ openly, and hence any thing out of the 
ordinary way surprises them. He left, and m 
this happy state of mind I went to the Rev. Mr, 
Reader's, and took tea with his family. Ac- 
cording to engagement I preached in the ses- 
sion-room of his church that evening to a small 
but attentive congregation, who manifested 



58 



i^ 



much good feeling. The power of God's love 
had been so great all day, that, after service, I 
returned home almost exhausted. 

Thursday, 12th. This morning, about nine, 
Captain Wendt and my self went to the suburbs 
of Hamburgh, to hear the Rev. Mr. Raudenberg 
preach. He gave us a good, gospel sermon, 
and, as far as I can learn, I believe he is the 
only German clergyman in this city who is in 
the spirit of his work, and whose labours are 
blessed to the conversion of sinners. And he 
is derided, and cried down by most others, as 
a fanatic, " Yea, and all that will live godly in 
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." This 
will remain unchangeably true, so long as Satan 
and sinners exist. 

About candle-light I went to a meeting, 
which corresponds with our evening lectures 
in America. It is here called " Bible hour." It 
is conducted by several candidates for the mi- 
nistry, who meet every Thursday evening, 
read a portion of the Scripture, and lecture 
upon it. I confess, this was to me a dry time, 
for the lecturer did not seem either to feel or 
understand what he was talking about. After 
meeting was concluded I went, with several of 
these young men, to visit a family of pious 



59 



people. I found the man of the house, a good 
man. Our company consisted of one lady and 
six gentlemen. The evening was spent in con- 
versing about religion in America, and I had 
the pleasure of relating to them many blessed 
circumstances which I had seen. I also gave 
them some account of my travels and labours 
as a preacher in America, especially among 
the inhabitants of the new settlements in the 
western states. While thus relating the good- 
ness of God to these people, he abundantly re- 
freshed my own soul — my heart was full of 
joy, and my eyes overflowed with tears of 
thankfulness to God for all his mercies to me at 
home and abroad. From the appearance of the 
company I should think they had not often seen 
a limn weep tears of joy. But I perceived they 
were susceptible of feeling, and not strangers 
to grace. This meeting was to me a heaven 
on earth, and we continued together until 
eleven o'clock. When about to depart, I said, 
I made it a practice to pray with my friends 
before I left them. This was strange to them, 
as social prayer is not customary here. I also 
said, it was my practice to kneel in prayer 
when it could be done — to this they all con- 
sented and conformed, and we had a most pre- 



60 



cious and delightful season — after which we 
separated. 

Friday, 13th. This morning I heard a 
gentleman preach, who has considerable popu- 
larity. He is, what in the backwoods of Ame- 
rica is called, " The Big Bell." He certainly 
is a fine orator ; but there was no more religion 
in his sermon than in the sound of a bell. 
Scarcely so much, for when we heard the 
church bell ring, we know the object, and are 
reminded of the worship due to God ; but when 
this minister had done, it was impossible to 
ascertain his object. 

At eleven this morning I went to the police 
office, deposited my passport, and obtained 
a permit to remain in the city four weeks. In 
the evening visited a family, from whom I had 
received an invitation the day previous — spent 
an agreeable evening — engaged in social prayer, 
and all of us felt the love of God shed abroad 
in our hearts. After prayer we embraced each, 
other in tears, and parted. 

Saturday, 14th. Called upon the Rev. S. 
Raudenberg, a man not ashamed of the gospel 
of Christ. 

This day I visited a clergyman in the Ger- 
man Reformed Church, who needs reformation 



61 



hioaself, as many ministers of religion in this 
city do. To speak thus seems rather hard, 
but the sequel will prove what I say. This 
gentleman could not allow me to use his pulpit, 
but very liberally invited me to go with him to 
the theatre. I told him I might as well cut my 
owTi throat, as go, and report the same in Ame- 
rica. At this he was astonished, and asked if 
clergymen in America did not go to the theatre. 
I said, " Christians do not go to the theatre in 
any country." In the evening I attended the 
Young Men's Union, a meeting held in silence 
for an hour ot two. The members either read 
or write, as they please. I thought it was 
a sleepy exercise, or likely to lead to dosing. 
At nine o'clock, one read a hj'mn, for they are 
prohibited from singing, and tlien prayed — 
a portion of Scripture was then read, and 
they requested me to make some remarks upon 
it ; I did so, we had a gracious time, and some 
were deeply afltected. 

Sunday, 15th. This morning I went to ihe 
Reformed Church and heard a gentleman 
preach, who, I believe, once enjoyed the love 
of God in his soul, but alas ! for him — poor 
fellow — he exchanged it for a rich wife and po- 
pularity. His sermon appeared like the track 
4 



62 

of footsteps in fresh fallen snow, something 
alive had once been there, but the place had 
now become hard and frozen. At the close of 
the service, I took the Uberty to introduce my- 
self to him as a stranger from America. He, 
without any questions, invited me to take a seat 
with him in his carriage. I consented, and 
spent a very agreeable afternoon with him at 
his own house. During this time I had the 
pleasure of answering for myself, and informed 
him how I became connected with the mi- 
nistry. It was to him altogether a new way, 
for here every preacher must go through a pro- 
cess of their own contrivance, God willing or 
not. 

Monday, 16th. This morning I spent in 
walking round the cit}^ on its walls. After 
dinner I visited the rev. gentleman who first 
invited me to the theatre. I sayjirst, because 
another clergyman had manifested the same 
politeness. He apologized for his inability to 
remain long with me, as he had an engagement 
to dine at four with the Apostle Club. This 
was a new phrase to me, and I very naturally 
asked an explanation. He gave me to under- 
stand that this Apostle Club was composed of 
twelve rich bachelors of Hamburg, who met to- 



63 



gether, to eat, drink, and have music. They 
were indeed sons of Belial, and yet a professed 
minister of Jesus Christ could associate and 
spend his time with them. As I was about to 
depart he said, " I am sorry I cannot introduce 
you to my dear wife, she is now dressing to go 
to a ball this evening, I shall return from the 
1 club in time to accompany her." These are 
sad particulars to lay before my American 
readers ; but such is the state of things in Ger- 
many. This evening! visited the Rev. Mr. Rr 
and after some conversation on the rehgion that 
saves the soul, he cordially took me by the 
hand and said, " M}' dear brother, I would as 
willingly lead you into my pulpit, as go there 
myself, but our regulations are such, that, if I 
did, I might expect to be driven from it. I 
should be happy to take you as a colleague, for 
I have more than ten thousand souls under my 
pastoral charge. It is impossible for me to dis- 
charge my duty to them all. But our rules 
prohibit us from engaging an\^ one who is not 
brought into the ministry according to our 
standard." We parted in peace. 

Tuesday, iVth. After breakfast walked a 
mile to see an aged mother in Israel, and her 
family. I found the former one o^ the excellent 



64 

of the eartli. Spent the greater part of the day 
with this pious family, and, before parting, 
read a chapter, sung a hymn, and prayed with 
them. We all felt the presence of the Lord. 
A young lady, naturally blind, not a member of 
the family, wej)t bitterl}^, and said, " I wish to 
•find the way to heaven, though I am blind." 
This was a blessed day to me. 

Wednesday, 18th. This morning I walked 
four miles to a village called Hamme, in order 
to visit a clergyman, who is on the Lord's side. 
He has in liis church some living branches of 
the true vine. In this village I met with an old 
maid, who has my mother's maiden name — I 
doubt not she is a branch of our ancient family, 
but we could not trace our pedigree, so as to 
establish any natural relationship. She, how- 
ever, belongs to the same heavenly family, and 
waiteth for the redemption of Israel. In a 
neighbouring village I visited an institution 
that pleased me much. It was greatly similar 
to an " House of Refuge and Orphan Asylum" 
combined. It is established for the bringing 
up and education of orphans, and also for the 
confinement and tuition of young criminals, 
who have been guilty of pilfering. They are 
taught to read and write, and^ at a proper age 



65 



B instructed in some useful trade. In the 
evening I returned on foot to Hamburg. 

Thursday, 19th. At nine this morning I 
paid a visit to Mr. Huthwalker, Lord Mayor of 
Hamburg, who is also one of the senators of 
the city. He is a pious man, and instrumental 
in doing much for the kingdom of God. In him 
I found the christian, statesman, and gentle- 
man. He received me very kindly, and I 
spent two hours very pleasantly with him 
and his friendly family. When I left, Mr. H. 
gave me many thanks for my visit, and hearty, 
invitations to call again. 

Friday, 20th. I spent the greater" part of 
this day in private meditation. Was intro- 
duced, during the day, by a rev. friend, to the 
pious family of Mr. Weber, a rich merchant of 
this city. 

Saturday, 21 st. Visited some of my friends, 
and called it the Union Hotel, where the 
masters of American vessels generally board 
when in this port. Here I met with Captain 
Harlow, who had just arrived from New-York. 
He had been converted while at sea, and re- 
lated to me the goodness of God to him while 
on his voyage. His narrative was to my mind 
a feast of marrow and fat things. 



66 



This evening I again visited the Young Men's 
Union, and after the customary silence of tvro 
hours, a h3^mn was read and prayer made. After 
which I was called on to re^d and expound a 
portion of Scripture. 1 did so, and spoke fifteen 
or twenty minutes — the power of God was ma- 
nifested — many were deeply affected, and one 
sinner inquired, "what shall I do to be saved." 

The Lord has a great work to do in this city, 
but there is an effort made to counteract its in- 
fluence. A severe law has been enacted against 
private conventicles, as they call aU religious 
meetings which are held out of the church. A 
man is subject to a fine of fifteen dollars, if ho 
sing a hymn in his own house, loud enough to 
be heard out of doors. This is done to oblige 
people to go to church, or rather to constrain 
them to conform to a cold heartless system of 
religion. The inhabitants may get drunk and 
sing songs in the streets, without molestation,-^- 
this is no private " conventicle," — by such 
practices, priestcraft is not endangered. 

Sunday, 22d. Attended the Rev. Mr. 
Reader's church at 10 a. m., and at 3 p. m. 
He preached two faithful gospel sermons. 
After which Captain Harlow accompanied me 
to my room, — ■•we dined at five, the usual time 



67 

here, and then went to see my dear Captain 
Wendt, who was confined by indisposition. I 
had the pleasure of hearing two sons of Neptune 
relate their experience and the dealings of God 
with them at sea. Even there Jehovah rules 
the hearts of men as well as the winds and 
tides. When I returned home I found a note 
from the Mayor, inviting me to dine with him- 
self and friends on Wednesday next at 4 p. m. 
We are to spend the evening in conversing on 
the state of religion in Europe and America. 
At night I called to see a Methodist family from 
England. They were still pious, and we spent 
an hour in singing and prayer, — the law to the 
contrary notwithstanding. We must obey God 
rather than man. I returned to my room full 
of '* joy unspeakable" — so true is it, 

" The hill of Zion yields, 

A thousand sacred sweets ; 
Before we reach the heavenly fields, 
Or walk the golden streets." 
******** 
" The men of grace have found, 
Glory began below ; 
Celestial fruit on earthly ground, 
From faith and hope may grow." 

Tuesday, 24th. At 7 p. m. Captain Wendt 
and I went to Mr. Weber's, where we spent 



68 



some time, pleasantly, in tlie company of some 
of the first merchants of this city. Most of 
them were religionsly inclined, and after par- 
taking of a splendid supper, before we arose, the 
Bible was brought, and I read the 13th chapter 
of John's gospel. We then all stood up, and I 
spent eight or ten minutes in prayer. The 
Lord l)lessed us M'ith his presence, and we sung 
averse of a hymn, I went round while singing, 
shook them all by the hand, and departed. 
Such a scene they had never witnessed before. 

Wednesday, 25th. At 4 p. m. dined with 
the Mayor according to invitation. Our com- 
pany consisted of one clergyman, Rev. Mr. 
Stranche, and six candidates, who had finished 
their education, and were waiting for a call. 
And this, while thousands were perishing 
around them for lack of knowledge. It is to be 
feared most of them care nothing about the 
souls of their fellow-creatures. Since I have 
been in this city I have heard six discourses in 
the German language, and scarce a word in any 
on the necessity of repentance. When will 
this fearful state of things be altered or re- 
moved ? 

Friday, 27th. Walked four miles to a vil- 
lage called Altona, and visited the pastor of 



69 



the United Brethren or Moravians. 1 found him 
a friendly pious man, and had much conver- 
sation on the nature of true reUgion. I called 
upon the pastor of another church in this vil- 
lage. On my return to Hamburg, I took a view 
of the botanic garden, where are arranged 
many beautiful herbs and flowers, many of 
which I had never seen before. In this garden 
I saw a stork, of the crane kind, all white ex- 
cept its wings, which are black. I was much 
pleased with these works of God. 

Saturday, 28th. Wrote a letter to my family 
in New-Orleans, and, in company with Cap- 
tain Wendt, went to see a ship launched. 
After this we went on board the brig. Princess 
Louiza. Before I left, the captain called to- 
gether the crew, with whom I prayed, and to 
whom I gave a short exhortation. 

Sunday, 29th. At nine this morning, went 
to the suburbs and heard the Rev. Mr. Rauden- 
berg preach an evangelical sermon. At 7 p. m. 
attended the Young Men's Union meeting. Be- 
fore the conclusion I addressed them about 
fifteen minutes, and left them, accompanied by 
their good wishes. 

Monday, 30th. Called on the Rev. Mr. Rea- 
der, who gave me several cards of introduction 
4* 



70 



to clergymen and merchants residing at Berlin 
where I intended to start next evening. Called 
on the American consul, and obtained a gene- 
ral passport to travel in Europe for twelve 
months. Visited and bade farewell to several 
of my friends. 

Tuesday, 31st. To-day had my passport 
endorsed by the several officers, which cost me 
twelve Hamburg shillings, about eighteen cents. 
This was the first pleasant day we have had 
this spring. In the evening a number of friends 
called to bid me farewell, expecting my de- 
parture on the morrow. We sang a hymn, 
prayed, read the Scriptures, and I addressed 
them on the necessity of being ready for our 
final departure from this world. We concluded 
by prayer, and had a very solemn time. The 
kind friends expressed regret at my leaving 
them so soon. 

Reflections. Many very important consi- 
derations arise out of the foregoing chapter — 
many to excite our pity, many to awaken our 
gratitude. We cast our eye for one moment 
over our vast republic, and rejoice that her 
thousands of churches, with their thousands of 
ministers, have been instrumental, through the 
mercy of God. in establishing in our land the 



71 

pure principles of gospel morality, as a stand- 
ard for human action. And none can deviate 
therefrom, neither in the church nor out, with- 
out having the finger of reprobation pointed at 
them by the community generally. Thus it is 
that " righteousness exalteth a nation," the 
gospel preached- — its doctrines and duties en- 
forced theoretically and practically — these, 
thus set forth, necessarily elevate the moral 
sense of any people. We should not forget, 
that where this is done, the political and civil 
institutions of that country, if not already pure 
and free, are in a fair way for becoming so. 
We owe our national privileges to the principles 
of gospel liberty, which were early, faithfully 
and practically set forth by many of our first 
settlers and colonists. How is it in many other 
countries ? let facts speak, " The prophets pro- 
phesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by 
their means; and, because it for the moment 
may gratify a perverted judgment and de- 
praved taste, the people love to have it so." 
The prophet calls this " a wonderful and hor- 
rible thing," — it is so in many respects — for 
" if the blind lead the blind both shaU fall into 
the ditch,"— neither the one nor the other can 
be a blessing to manldnd. Where the ministers 



of religion neglect their duty, and, themselves 
" follow a multitude to do evil," the people will 
imitate their example, by which process the 
moral sense of the community will be vitiated, 
the principles of justice and truth discarded, in 
reference to political and civil affairs, and the 
rights of man partially known or totally ne- 
glected. In respect to ecclesiastical privi- 
ledges, those who wish to enjoy them, must 
procure them according to unbending law, or 
unyielding custom, — to get to heaven, the 
church must be entered by legalized forms and 
ceremonies of human invention. How truly 
pitiable must be the condition of such a people 
— ^that there are some who follow the Lord ful- 
ly, and do their duty, is matter of rejoicing — 
and we ought earnestly to pray that God would 
arise and cleanse his own sanctuary in every 
part of the world. May the shepherds of 
Christ's fold feed their sheep and lead them 
into green pastures. 



73 



CHAPTER V. 

Funeral of the Emperor of Austria-Ceremony of 
Confrmation- Sacrament preparatzon -J'^'l'^ 
Concert-Country Excursion- Young M^n^sters 
—Cure for Dropsy— Ride to Berlin. 

My visit to Berlin, in company with Captain 
Wendt, was postponed for some time, m con- 
sequence of the captain receiving a letter from 
the owners of his vessel, stating that they 
should not be ready for him withm three 
weeks. Many friends called upon me, as 1 
^as detained, and requested me to write a 
sketch of the history of my life. I commenced, 
therefore, about this date, and was many days, 
at several intervals, engaged in recording he 
prominent features of my life ; but as the sketch 
was not published in that country, I shall make 
no more mention of the time occupied in 

writing it. . . 

Saturday, April 14th, 1835. This mommg 



74 

at ten oclock I went to the Roman Catholic 
church, where was to be performed the cere- 
mony of the funeral of the Emperor of Austria, 
who had died about a month before. The pro- 
cession was the most splendid I have ever seen. 
The Hamburg troops were stationed in front 
of the church, dressed in beautiful uniform. 
Two lines of soldiers stood in the middle aisle 
of the church, wearing splendid armour. On 
and round the altar were burning a vast num- 
ber of candles, and in the centre of the altar 
stood the coffin, gorgeously decorated with 
rich black velvet, so it appeared to me at a 
distance, and this was tastefully laid out and 
ornamented with gold. Over the coffin hung 
an immense piece of drapery of the richest 
black crape, bespangled with numerous golden 
stars. In the gallery was placed a band of 
musicians. The music was opened by sound- 
ing a trumpet, in imitation of the day of judg- 
ment. A solemn ode was then played by the 
choir, accompanied by the instruments. After 
this, mass was read by a priest, the whole 
forming a scene of magnificence and splendour. 
Thus great folks are dismissed out of this 
world, and if their reception in the world of 
spirits, is attended with corresponding pomp 



75 



and grandeur, it may be well for the recipient 
of such honours. God, however, judges of, 
and deals with men, according to their moral 
character, and not according to the station they 
hold in hfe. Every man must give an account 
of himself to God, and just in the state we die, 
so shall we appear before our judge. " He 
that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he 
which is filthy, let him be filthy still ; and he 
that is righteous, let him be righteous still, 
and he that is holy let him be holy still." 
The decisions of our judge will be fixed by 
this standard, and he adds' " Behold, I come 
quicldy; and my reward is with me, to give 
every man according as his work shall be." 

So be it i let this system end ! 

This ruinous earth and skies 1 
The new Jerusalem descend ; 

The new creation rise 1 
Thy power omnipotent assume ! 

Thy brightest majesty ! 
And when thou dost in glory come, 

My Lord, remember me ! 

Sunday, 5th. Captain Wendt and I went 
to Altana, in company with his mother-m-law. 
We heard the pastor of the church preach a 
good gospel sermon, and afterwards receive a 
young man into the church by baptism. After 



76 



service we returned to Hamburg — in the 
evening several friends called upon me. We 
sang a hymn, read and explained the Scrip- 
tures, and concluded with prayer. • 

Monday, 6th. Spent several hours with I 
some American captains and two German '. 
counts, who are plain, unassuming, friendly, 
and gentlemanly men. This evening walked 
to Hamme to attend the monthly concert, but 
it was postponed, and I was disappointed. 

Tuesday, 7th. This morning went to see 
two American captains who were indisposed. 
In the evening visited, according to invitation, 
a Miss Heise, daughter of the former burgo- 
master. I found her a pious lady, who loves 
to speak of the goodness of God in the redemp- 
tion of the world by Jesus Christ. I find in 
this city that the most pious people are of the 
first rank, and, if it were not for the old system 
of laws and ceremonies, multitudes would be 
converted to God. Thousands are content to 
conform to custom, and these are made a sub- 
stitute for a change of heart. Many good mi- 
nisters have their energies cramped, religious 
liberty is unknown, and, under these circum- 
stances, " the people perish for lack of know- 
ledge." 

Wednesday, 8th. I went to the church to 



77 

see what is called a confirmation. It is an 
initiatory rite or ceremony, by which the reci- 
pients are made members of the visible church, 
without any reference to their moral character 
— a catechetical exercise being all that is re- 
quired preparatory. It would be well if this 
sort of thing were not injurious to the young 
persons who submitted to it, man}^ of them 
being deceived into the belief that this process 
fits them for the duties of Hfe and heaven also — 
forgetting the immutable principle on which 
depends their salvation. " Ye must be born 
again." " Except a man be born of water 
and of the spirit, he cannot see the kingdom 
of God." Oh ! that their eyes might be open- 
ed ! This evening I again w^alked to Hamme, 
to attend the monthly concert — delivered an 
address of about half an hour's length to an at- 
tentive congregation, some of whom were much 
affected. 

Thursday, 9th. Attended another of those con- 
firmation ceremonies, and saw twelve or fifteen 
young people persuaded they were now Chris- 
tians, and thus, ver)^ likely, cheated out of their 
salvation. Their after-life too frequently proves 
that their hearts are unchanged. I may as well 
state here that I highly approve of catechising 



J 



78 



children, it is a very useful exercise when at- 
tended to in a proper way. Under God it may 
be made the means of enlightening the mind, 
fixing therein correct principles, and may 
lead to sound conversion. But, in the manner 
which I saw it attended to in Hamburg, I 
fear it will be the means of decei^dng thou- 
sands. Who is to answer for their souls in 
the great day of accounts ? O God save the 
people from delusion. 

Friday, ] 0th. Spent this day in visiting se- 
veral American masters of vessels, and reading 
the Scriptures in German, a copy of which my 
<3ear Captain Wendt had presented to me, with 
a pair of silver framed spectacles, and also a 
full suit of beautiful black clothes. " A friend 
in need is a friend indeed." 

Saturday, 11th. This morning visited Cap- 
tain Wendt, with whom I had a delightful sea- 
son of social prayer, preparatory to his going to 
partake of the sacrament of the Lord's supper. 
I resolved to accompany him, as in all proba- 
bility it was the last opportunity we should 
have of partaking together of the symbols of 
the Saviour's dying love, at the table of our 
common Father. For this purpose we went 
to the pastor, Rev. Mr. John, that we might 



79 



undergo the ceremony of preparation, as it is 
called, by the Lutherans. The pastor made 
a short prayer, retaining his seat, and, after 
asking us a few questions, laid his hand upon 
our heads and pronounced a short benediction. 
This was all new to me, but it is sometimes 
necessary to submit to the customs of the 
country, and we should not object if it can be 
done without any violation of principle. 

Sunday, 12th. Went to church and heard 
the Rev. Mr. John preach what, in America, we 
should call a common sermon. This minister 
is considered one of the greatest men in Ham- 
burg. After sermon took sacrament aiter t^e 
manner of the Lutherans, and in the evening 
rode about five .miles to a village called 
Home, where I preached to about one hundred 
people, who were very attentive, and some 
much affected. Having company, we went on 
foot to the city, where we arrived about mid- 
night. 

Monday,13th. In the evening attended church, 
by special invitation, to hear a concert of mu- 
sic. It was a sacred ode composed from the 
Revelations. The vocal and instrumental 
music was admirably performed. The pro- 



80 ' I 

ceeds of this concert were applied to the support 
of the school for the poor. The amount col- 
lected was nearly two thousand dollars. 

Tuesday, 14th. In the fore part of this day 
Captain Wendt and I visited the hospital, a 
very extensive building, containing, at this 
time, about one thousand five hundred persons, 
one of whom, a female, is now one hundred 
and two years old. Leaving the hospital we 
crossed the Elster, and took a walk above the . 
city to view the beautiful houses and country 
seats which are there situated. The grandeur 
of the scenery is beyond description — it is an 
earthly paradise — here the nobility and gentry 
of Hamburg reside during the summer 
months. Finding a hack unemployed, we en- 
gaged it, and continued our excursion several 
miles further, through a very beautiful land- 
scape, interspersed with farms and gardens 
tastefulty laid out. We returned to the city 
by way of Altona ; and, to add to the interest 
of the jaunt, we visited the large collection of 
wild beasts, birds, and serpents, which are lo- 
cated between Altona and Hamburg. 

This evening, by invitation, visited the fa- 
mily of Mr. K. We had in company ten or 



81 

twelve ladies and gentlemen. Three of 
these gentlemen were candidates for the mi- 
nistry, waiting for a call to office. I could 
not help looking on them with pity. They 
must spend half their lives in acquiring quali- 
fications, and, while doing this, they are en- 
gaged in almost every evil work. The 
walls of the university would attest what I 
say if they had power. While there, many 
of them spend most of their fortune — some, the 
whole, and the remainder of their lives is spent 
in almost a state of beggary. " They cannot 
dig, to beg they are ashamed." Many of those 
who do receive situations are morally inca- 
pable of discharging their duties to the souls 
under their care. When a living becomes va- 
cant by the death of the incumbent, these can- 
didates invent many stratagems to become pos- 
sessed of the benefice, and it too frequently 
happens that he who has most money will be 
successful. The salvation of souls and the 
glory of God are out of the question. These 
things may not be palatable to many of my 
readers ; but we have cherished iniquity too 
long — who ought to expose it but those who 
have seen it. But, thank God, there are " a 



82 

few names in" Hamburg " which have not 
defiled their garments." May these " bm-ning 
and shuiing lights" increase in numbers. 

Wednesday, 15th. Called on the mayor in 
the evening, to know if it were possible for the 
American Seaman's Friend Society to have 
the privilege of appointing a chaplain for the 
port of Hamburg. He thinks it can be ac- 
complished without difficulty, and promises to 
exert his influence for this desirable object. 

Friday, 17th. After breakfast wallved to 
Hamme and heard an excellent gospel ser- 
mon. At candle-light I preached at Home, 
the village before named. The school-house 
in which we worshipped was crowded, and 
great numbers of the people were bathed in 
tears. Mr. M. concluded by exhortation and 
prayer, and we had a profitable meeting. 
May we meet this dear peoj)le at the right 
hand of God. 

Sunday, 19tb. Heard two dry sermons 
from the same text. This is the most disa- 
greeable day I have seen in six5^ears — ^blowing 
and snowing heavily all day long — but in the 
evening returned to the citj'. 

Tuesday, 21st. Dined with Mr. O., a mer- 



83 

chant, and was here introduced to Dr. W., of 
Berlin, who is one of the most intelHgent che- 
mists of the present day. He has invented a 
cure for the dropsy, by sweating the water from 
the patient, by means of spirits of wine. The 
patient is placed in a basket made for the pur- 
pose, and covered with blankets over and 
under him. The spirits are placed under the 
patient, set on fire, and the heat secured by 
the coverings, and thus perspiration is pro- 
duced. The next day I accompanied the Dr. 
to the hospital and witnessed the process of his 
new invention. I talked wdth the patient 
while under the operation, who said he was 
very comfortable, Avhich was evident from his 
inchnation to sleep. I also conversed with one 
who had undergone the same operation a day 
or two before — he said he only now wanted 
plenty to eat. It would appear this invention 
is as simple as it Is effectual. 

Monday, 27th. Bought a few small articles 
for my children, and put them on board a 
vessel bound for New-Orleans. At eight 
o'clock this evening left Hamburg for Berlin, 
according to previous arrangements. We tra- 
velled night and day till we reached the place 



84 



of our destination, scarcely having time to take 
our meals — and yet we only travelled one 
hundred and forty-four miles in thirty-six 
hours. The roads are many of them bad — not 
being turnpike. We arrived at Berlin on Wed- 
nesday 29th, about ten o'clock in the morning, 
somewhat fatigued, not being accustomed to 
travelling in a stage. 



85 



CHAPTER VI. 

Reception at Berlin — Novel SigJd — Prq/'essov Ne- 
ander — Baron, Gottvitz — Count Van Grahen — 
Singular request hy a Boy — Social Visits — Span- 
Jail Penitentiary — Sahhath School AnniKersary— 
Visit to the Prince. 

On a.mvlng ;it Berlin we made a .short ^toy 
:i t an hotel for relreshment. Captain Wondt, 
jny guide and benefaetor, called for brcrd-:- 
tast — it was prepared after the custom of the 
country, and consisted oi'thin slices ofBologmr 
sausage, laid upon thin slices of bi-ead and 
butter, a bottle of claret, and some ale. 
This is a brecdifast in one of the iirst hotels in 
the great city of Berlin. The parents ol' one; 
of Captain Wendt's seamen reside in lliis 
city, whose house I had been requested to make 
my home, a porter was sent in search of the 
place. He soon found the young man himself, 
who quickly came, and we got into a hack, 
and drove to his fatlier's house. The family 
5 



received me with great cordiality — the father 
was tying very low of a dropsy — T dined with 
them on boiled rice — after which I took a 
walk and viewed part of the city, and called 
upon the Rev. Mr. Gosncr, to whom I had a 
letter of introduction. This gentleman was 
once a Romish priest,' but now a faithful mi- 
nister of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
With him I took tea, and, after much friendly 
conversation, in full flow of christian love, he 
offered me the use of his pulpit, and requested 
me to occupy it for him the next Monday, at four 
p. M., which I promised to do. After praying 
with the famity I returned to my lodgings. 

Thursday, 30th. - Breakfasted on double- 
baked bread and coffee, and after reading my 
German Bible, as is usual every morning, I 
went in search of and found Mr. Eisner, a mer- 
chant, to whom I delivered a card of introduc- 
tion — he received me very kindly, and asked 
me to take breakfast with him. It appears 
bread and coffee are not called breakfast here — 
his was bread buttered and a glass of wine. 
After partaking of this simple repast, Mr. Eis- 
ner, accompanied and introduced me to Gene- 
ral Thiele, who is a soldier of Christ, as well 
as of the king of Prussia. We next called upon 



87 

Professor Neander, to whom I was introduced, 
and then visited the King's Museum. Dined 
with Mr. Eisner — after which we visited seve- 
ral gentlemen and places of importance. In 
the evening I met witli a company of ^''oung 
men who were engaged in publishing a small 
weekly religious paper, in which is noticed 
the chief occurrences of the day relating to 
the cause of Christ. I was called upon to 
open the meeting by prayer. The company 
consisted of preachers, doctors, judges, mer- 
chants and military officers, who are all thus 
engaged in endeavouring to spread the gospel 
of Christ. 

Frida}'", May 1st, 1635. This morning vi- 
sited the Rev. Mr. Lisco, a faithful minister of 
the gospel. He invited me to preach for him 
the following Sabbath at four p. m., to which 1 
consented. Spent the evening with the Rev. 
Mr. Arnt and others. 

I witnessed a novel sight in this citj', which, 
though simple, may not be uninteresting. The 
farmers bring their milk and other produce to 
market in little waggons, drawn by a team of 
large strong dogs. A countiy girl may fre- 
quently be seen governing a team of these ani- 
mals, passing through the city and distributing 



her dairy produce, and as soon as she has sold 
out, mounts the carriage, and drives home in 
style, and very quick too. 

Saturda}^ 2nd. After breakfast called on 
the Rev. Mr. Cuart, vs^ho, I understood, was 
busily engaged in his study, preparing for the 
Sabbath, I therefore postponed my introduc- 
tion and interview until two o'clock in the 
afternoon, when I called and spent an hour 
with him. He is a man of first-rate talents, 
which ho cmplo3-s to the glory of God and the 
good of his fclloAv-mcn. 

After this, according to cngagemeiit, I called 
upon Professor Neander, who is said to be one 
of the most profound scholars of the age. He 
is by birth a Jew, but a sincere believer in the 
Messiahship of Jesus Christ. Professor Neander 
is a man of middle stature, rather slender, of 
dark complexion, black hair, deep black eyes, 
wdth very prominent brows. His outwaixl ap- 
pearance indicates anything but greatness, and 
his dress any thing but neatness ; but it is " the 
mind which makes the man," according to the 
old proverb, and it often happens that a. wise 
and talented man is careless about his attire, 
while fools are after gorgeously attired. 

Sunday, 3rd. The first words with which 



89 



my ears were saluted this morning were, 
•'dear preacher, my father died last night." 
This was the voice of our young sailor. The 
bereavement was sustained with calmness and 
resignation both by himself and the family. At 
nine o'clock I went to church and heard Mr. Gos- 
ner preach an appropriate sermon from John x. 
11, 16. I occupied the pulpit at four r. m. 
This was my first sermon in this city, and the 
place was literally crammed. The Lord was 
present, and his spirit moved upon the hearts 
of the people, hundreds being in tears. This, 
in a strange land was, especially, a precious 
and delightful time. After sermon went to 
Banco with Mr. Eisner, and spent a few hours 
with the pious pastor of that place. It is about 
two miles from Berlin. 

Monda}', 4th. I was to-day introduced to 
Baron Gottvitz, a veteran in his sevent^^-eighth 
year. He received me in a friendly manner 
and without ceremon}'. He asked what made 
me become a preacher, and I replied by giving 
him a brief account of my conversion and ex- 
perience. This seemed to satisjfy his curiosity. 
He spoke much on experimental religion, and 
the evils resulting to the world from forms and 
ceremonies having taken the place of true re- 



90 



ligion. But he thanked God that a day of bet- 
ter things had dawned upon the world. At 
four o'clock I went to Rev. Mr. Gosner's 
ehurch, where I had to preach. The place was 
crowded, indeed many of the people could not 
get in. While preaching I felt more of the 
assisting grace of God than ever before in my 
life. The congregation was all attention, and 
the power of redeeming grace was manifested 
in an unusual degree. Tears of repentance 
and joy flowed in abundance, and solemnity 
characterized the whole assembly. 

Tuesday, 5th. Visited the missionaiy school, 
and, by the request of the superintendant, re- 
lated my experience, call to the ministry, and 
some facts on the powerful effects of the gospel 
in the United States. In answer to various 
questions, I gave some account of the American 
Indians. 

Wednesday, 6th. Visited Judge Tocke — 
found him and his family aU pious and friendly. 
After spending an hour or two with them, the 
Judge accompanied me to Count Van. Graben, 
adjutant to one of the royal princes. We found 
him in the garden — he received me veiy cor- 
dially, took my arm, and walked to and fro for 
an hour or more, conversing on religion. He 



i)I 



talked sweetly on redeeming guace. The 
count promised to honour me with an introduc- 
tion to the prince when he returns. At parting- 
he embraced and kissed me, a custom in this 
city. You must be kissed on both sides of 
your face by ever}^ man to whom you happen 
to be introduced, no matter his appearance or 
station. 

This afternoon a youth, fifteen or sixteen 
years of age, came to my room and inquired 
for the American preacher. I told him who I 
was, and asked his errand. He said he had 
come to entreat me to take him with me to 
America. I asked why he wished to go. He 
said, " I want to be a missionary." Being but 
a boy, and an apprentice too, I endeavoured to 
dissuade him from it. But he remained fixed 
in his purpose or desire, pleading with stream- 
ing eyes, offering to do the lowest services for 
me, and even go on foot all the way, any thing 
if only he might go. The latter pledge would 
have been somewhat difficult to accomplish, 
nevertheless he might have been sincere, and 
who knows but that youth may one day cany 
out his aspirations and become great. 

At seven o'clock this evening I preached in 
the Moravian church to a crowded congrega- 



92 

tioii, upoii ^^■llom was wonderfulh' displayed 
tlic saN'ing power of God — the awakening in- 
fluence of truth. Ever}- thing looks like a glo- 
rious rc^^ival of religion, and the excitement wms' jj 
»o great, that tlic people of Bei-lin reminded me 
of the Methodists in America. After sermon the 
people flocked round me, kissed my hands, and 
.seemed fall of joy. I was extremely happy 
and rejoiced in God, crying aloud — Hallelujah, 
my Jesus yet liveth. Two of the missionary 
students accompanied me home, happy in the 
Lord. 

Frida}^ 8th. B}' eight o'clock this morning 
my room was full of visiters, among whom was 
Professor Sears, from Boston. One person 
came to invite me to preach a sermon for the 
benefit of the Sick Visiting Society, on the 17th 
instant. This evening I met a number of 
friends at -Judge Tocke's, among whom was 
Rev. Mr. Ayrst, Christian jMissionary to the 
Jews in this city. He meets with some suc- 
cess. It is a common thing here for the friends 
of religion to meet together in a social circle, 
and spend an evening in a pleasant way. To 
me, who was a stranger, this is very de- 
lightful, for my knowledge is extended as well 
as my acquaintance. This evening I was in- 



93 

formed that an old lady, ^vho had travelled 
three hours for the purpose, wished to see me, 
as she understood I preached the gospel in its. 
purity. It was not so preached in her village, 
nor any where near her. May the Lord send 
out labourers into his vineyard. 

Saturday, 9th. By eight o'clock this morn- 
ing my room was full of persons who had come 
to talk about Jesus. These left mc at ten, and 
I spent the day in reading the Scriptures and 
writing. 

Sunday, lOth. This morning my room was 
crowded with visiters before eight o'clock, and 
I received invitation after invitation to preacli 
at various places. At ten o'clock I heard the 
Rev. Mr. Arnt preach a good and eloquent ser- 
mon. He is one of the most powerful orators 
in the city of Berlin, and decidedly on the 
Lord's side. Attwop. m. I preached in the same 
church to at least three thousand people. I 
spoke about an hour and a half, all were solemn 
as the gra^-e, hundreds were deeply affected , and 
at least a thousand were in tears. At six p. m. 
preached again at the Moravian church before 
the Female Sick Visiting Society. The house 
was crowded, and nearly all females, many of 
whom felt tlie power of the word of C^d. 
5* 



94 



Monday, 10th. By seven this morning a 
number of persons called to speak about the 
kingdom of God, and the prosperity of the cause 
of Christ. At ten a. m. preached at the hos- 
pital to a large number of impotent folks of 
every description. They were very attentive, 
and many shed tears. I was at this time press- 
ingly solicited by Judge Tocke to make his 
house m\^ home. This invitation was very op- 
portune, as I was not so comfortable as I could 
wish at my present lodgings. I therefore ac- 
cepted the friendly call. I attended a prayer- 
meeting in the evening, and on the next day 
collected my few things together and repaired 
to the house of the Judge, No. 20, Thorothen- 
street, where I had an agreeable place and the 
kindest of friends. There was at this time, as 
I understood, some conversation among the re- 
ligious* people of this city to send for my wife 
and famiW, and thus induce me to remain 
among them. 1 could only repl}^ the will of 
the Lord be done. L had not been in the 
Judge's house long before a sergeant in the 
army called and requested me to hold a meet- 
ing in the house of a sick lady. I did so, and 
gave them a short discourse on the necessity of 
the new birth. We liad an interesting time. 



95 



Bless the Lord O, my soul ! Surely my visit to 
this strange land is not in vain. Religion is 
reviving daily. 

Wednesday, 13th. At nine this morning the 
Judge and his sister, with myself and another, 
took a hack and rode to Spandau, where Mr. 
W. preached to the prisoners in the Peniten- 
tiary. There is a chapel in the building for 
divine service, and while we were there these 
poor sinners were very attentive and serious. 
At five p. M. I preached to the female prisoners 
only. These miserable beings, with few ex- 
ceptions, were all deeply affected, and some of 
them almost wept aloud. May God in mercy 
visit and deliver them from the chains of sin 
and death ! The keeper and his wife are pious, 
and some of the prisoners have been converted 
since their confinement. After taking srnne re- 
freshment I was constrained to promise another 
visit to the Penitentiary, with the leave of Pro- 
vidence. 

Friday, 15th. Attended a me'eting this 
evening, which begaii at six o'clock. When I 
arrived there was about three hundred people 
assembled, and as soon as I entered they com- 
menced, singing a hymn of welcome, which had 
been composed for the occasion by one of the 



96 

number. These good j^eoplc could have no 
bad motive, which induced them to this, but to 
me it appeared inconsiderate, and very much 
like idolatry. I therefore gently reproved 
them, and hope tlie Lord will forgive their folly 
and blind zeal. I spoke plain, and they were 
much affected. 

Saturday-, 16. Went to the police office and 
extended the date of my permit another month. 
In the e\'ening preached in the work-house to 
an attentive congregation of about three hun- 
dred. 

Sunday, l/th. This day, at two o'clock, 
preached at the orphan-house church to two 
tliousaud people, and hundreds had to go away 
being unable to get in. At six in the evening- 
preached at the Moravian church to more than 
could g^i in — ^^'c liad a gracious time, for the 
Lord made his word " quick and powerful" to 
man}' who were present. 

Monday, 18lh. Visited Countess Darnerd, 
a pious lady. At licr house I saw Count Hal- 
stine, a pious nubloraan, from Denmark. It 
appears that quite a goodlv number of noble- 
men in this country are decidedly I'eligious. 
May the good Lord increase their number. At 
four p. M. preached in Mr, Gosner's church, 



97 

which was literally crammed fall of hearers, 
and the mighty power of God's word was felt 
by hundreds. 

Tuesday, 19th. Called on the Re^'. Mr. 
Strause, one of the chaplains of the court, who 
receis'ed me very kindl3% I had much inter- 
esting conversation with him and several other 
gentlemen on the subject of religion in America. 
Here again I had to satisfy the curiosity of these 
gentlemen on the possibility of becoming a 
preacher without going through a regular 
course of studies. When I told them of the 
merciful dealings of God with me, and of my 
ministerial success, they seemed perfectly as- 
tonished. 

Wednesday, 20Lh. By the urgent request of 
several friends I allowed a portrait painter to 
take my likeness, underneath which I, wrote 
the following motto : " I determined to kno^\' 
nothing among you save Jesus Christ and him 
crucified." In the evening preached at the 
Moravian church — we had an affecting season. 
After ser\ice a great number of young people 
assembled in the yard before the church, and 
with tiieir instruments and voices made sweet 
music, which they continued for half an 
hcmv, when I left the place. We returned to 



the city, eleven in company, in a carriage. All 
joined in singing as we went along, in like 
manner as the ^lethodists in America returning 
from a camp-meeting. 

Friday, 22d. Visited Comit Van Graben, 
and was informed that the Prince wished, if 
possible, to see me on Sunday next. This I 
could not do, having three appointments to 
preach, which I could neither relinquish nor 
neglect, though it were to accommodate a 
crowned prince. 

Sunday, 24th. At ten p. m. preached in the 
Moravian church, which was crowded, and we 
had another display of the force of gospel truth. 
After sermon the keeper of the States Prison 
sent his carriage for me to go to Spandau, to 
preach to the prisoners. I went, and at two 
o'clock addressed several hundred of the in- 
mates of the place, who were very attentive. 
In the evening I returned to Berlin, and at- 
tended an anniversary of the Sabbath school, 
which was held in the Moravian church. The 
place was crowded to excess, hundreds could 
not get in. Five addresses were delivered, 
and a collection taken up amounting to about 
forty-five dollars. After this I was called on 
to address the meeting, as some anxiety was 



99 



manifested to know something about Sabbath 
schools in America. I gave some account of 
our plans of operation, and the good effects 
which had been produced. I urged the friends 
of the cause to persevere, and called upon the 
young people present to volunteer their aid as 
teachers. The happy result of this meeting 
was, that in less than two months after as many 
as forty schools were estabhshed, in addition 
to the seven which then existed. 

Monday, 25th. Many visiters called upon 
me this morning, among whom was a young 
lady, who has been awakened and induced to 
seek the Lord, through my feeble exertions in 
this city. By her conversion alone all my la- 
bours are compensated, and I am rewarded 
a thousand times, and more. Another has 
just called in great distress, inquiring the way to 
Heaven. She is under deep concern for her 
salvation, and I hope that God will speedily 
remove her " load of guilty woe," and make 
her happy in his love. This evening Dr. C. 
sent his carriage for me, I went and spent an 
agreeable evening with him and his pious 
famil}'-. 

Wednesday, 2 th. This morning a lady 
called to see me, and when about to leave me. 



100 



placed in my hand two Prussian eagles, worth 
five dollars and a half each ; thus the Lord pro- 
vides for me in a strange land. Blessed be 
his holy name. On this and the following day 
we had many tokens for good — greater mani- 
festations of the power of God than I have wit- 
nessed since my arrival in Berlin. 

Friday, 29th. This morning I removed my 
lodgings from the house of my worthy and kind 
host, to that of his brother, who insisted on my 
spending a part of the time with him. I found 
him and his amiable wife possessed of the same 
friendliness and kindness as their kinsman. At 
seven this evening I preached at Rixdorf, 
where I had walked, the place was exceedingly 
crowded, and man}- were so affected as scarcely 
to be able to refrain from cr^-ing aloud. " The 
Avord of God is quick and powerful." 

►Saturday, 30(b. A friend called this morn- 
ing to know mv cij-cu instances — he said the 
friends were resolved I should wont nothing. 
I also received an invitation to visit the Prince 
at two p. ai. I did so, ;ind was ver}^ kindly re- 
ceived b}' his rovcil highness. He asked me 
many questions about America, principally 
with regard to the progress of religion. I spent 
a short time Vv'ith him verv nareeablv — he is a 



101 



smart friendly man. There .s not that oster^- 
tation about him which we republican Amerr- 
^s think princes pos.e.,. He wore a plain 
::rtout coat! turned up with red, and^agl- 
„ar on his breast. I discerned no other Pecn 
llarities about him. We shook hands and 
artld. The next day, Sunday, 31st, preached 
wieeaudattendedaJews' missionary meemg: 

it was an affecting time-aU were m tears. 
God's ancient people will be gathered m. 



102 






CHAPTER VII. 

The Grave-yard — Clmrcli Government — Leaves Ber- 
lin — The Farmers of Wiettbrizen — King^s Gar- 
dens, Museum andFalace — Theological Meeting — 
Return to Berlin a feio Days — Departure thence 
for Komigshtcrg. 

Monday, June 1st, 1835. Visited the lady 
of a Russian minister of state, who was afflicted 
in a very pecuHar manner, and must have suf- 
fered a thousand deaths. She was, however, 
calm and composed-^^her appearance was truly 
angelic — never did I see a countenance more 
heavenly. Contrary to all expectation she re- 
covered and returned to Russia. We had a 
delightful interview, and a happy time while 
reading the word of God with her and the fa- 
mily. 

Tuesday, 2d. Walked to the grave-yard, 
and viewed the solemn mansions of the dead. 
While gazing upon the splendid monuments 



103 



and decorated tombs erected by friends, I 
could not help thinking that the money thus 
expended would have been better laid out, 
if devoted to supplying the wants of the 
poor and need}'^ with food and raiment — this 
expenditure of money may do good however, 
as it increases manual labour, nevertheless 
what are our bodies worth, 

" When dust they turn to dust again T' 

Tombs and monuments only show the attach- 
ment of friends, and by no means prove the 
worth of the departed. 

Friday, 5th. Several friends called to spend 
the evening with me. The conversation turned 
on church government, which is truly in a 
lamentable condition throughout the whole 
country. No kind of discipline exercised, by 
which the profane and j)rofligate are excluded 
from the privileges of the church. And it is 
enough to make a Christian's heart bleed to 
kneel by the side of a drunkard at the sacra- 
mental table of the Lord. There is great need 
for reformation. Oh ! that God would raise up 
reformers of primitive purity and apostohc 
holiness and simplicity ! 

Tuesday, 9th. According to previous ar- 



104 



laiigemcnt, I tliis day was to have gone into 
the coimtiy, as I thought, to a village to 
preach Christ and him crucified. But being 
informed that the company who wished me io 
go, were only a pleasure party, and wished me 
to accompany them to preach in the woods, 
that they might enjoy their enthusiastic exer- 
cises without restraint, such exercises being 
contrary to the law of the land. The con- 
templated proceedings dissatisfied the more in- 
telligent and good, and I therefore resolved not 
to go. It caused great dissatisfaction to tlie 
parties concerned, inasmuch as they had en- 
gaged ten or a dozen wagons or carriages, 
which would contain twelve persons each ; but, 
I deemed it more judicious to offend them than 
injure the cause of God. 

Every day brings with it more abundant*, 
proofs of the kindness of friends and the good- 
ness of God. My wants are supplied, and the 
spirit of God accompanies the gospel preached 
by me in e^'ery place. To the name of the 
Lord the glory shall be given. 

Thursday, 11th. More than an usual num- 
ber of friends called upon me this morning, in 
consequence of my being about to leave the 
city for a time. Several young- converts were 



105 

among them, who wept bitterly at my going 
away. What must have been the distress 
which filled the minds of the Ephesian church, 
when Paul left them, if these good people w^eep 
and lament at my departure, who am weakness 
itself. But God can raise up children to Abra- 
ham, and make those abundantly useful who 
are poor and comparatively illiterate. These 
kind people hung around me like children 
about a parent, and equally loath to let me 
go. However I must go,, so at eleven a. m. 
took the mail-stage for Potsdam, where I ar- 
rived at three p. m. and made the house of the 
Rev. Mr. Barnhardy my home according to 
previous arrangement. At six I preached to 
the invalids in the hospital, who were very 
attentive. 

Saturda}^, 13th. After some difficalty and 
changes of guides I arrived at Wiettbrizen, 
and the next day (Sunday) preached twice in 
the church, and in the afternoon many were in 
tears. 

Monday, 15th. In the forenoon took a walk 
into the fields with the Rev. Mr. L. The far- 
mers were weeding their millet. After dinner 
I went out to a place, which, by its eminence, 



106 



allows us to look around a great extent of 
country, interspersed with corn-fields, flax and 
potatoe-patches, and pasture-ground. Every 
thing looked very poor, the soil, if so it could be 
called, being a white sand. This village has 
at least twelve square miles of land attached 
to it, and only four hundred inhabitants, and 
the poverty of the land is such that they can 
scarcely live. Taxes are exorbitant. The 
parson takes a tenth of all the farmer raises, 
and then many other tax-gatherers call for their 
demands, until the poor farmer, who labours 
from two in the morning until ten at night, has 
very little left for himself. 

In the evening many of the farmers left their 
work in the fields and came to the parsonage- 
house to see me. Rev. Mr. L. arranged seats 
in the parlour and invited them in. After they 
were seated I said to them, " Well, dear people, 
do you wish me to tell you something about 
America, of the country, or people, or do you 
wish me to tell you something from the word 
of God?" " The word of God," answered an 
old farmer. So I began to talk to them about 
religion, and how it was obtained, then sang a 
hymn and prayed with them, and nearly all of 



107 



them left the house weeping, and aiFectionately 
bade me farewell, leaving other evidences of 
their kindness to me. 

Tuesday, 16. This morning, at half past 
four o'clock, I took my departure for Potsdam, 
in company with the minister and his sister. 
We arrived there at eight a. m. At three p. m. 
I went to church with the Rev. Mr. B., who 
had to perform the ceremony of baptism on a 
child. At this time I went through the church 
with the sexton, and examined aU its parts. I 
saw under the pulpit the coffins of Frederick 
the Great and his father. Here they lie side 
by side — they are said to have been bitter 
enemies to each other while living; but death 
makes no distinctions, and settles all human 
differences. 

Wednesday, 17th. Visited the King's gar- 
dens, Museum, and New Palace, three miles 
from the city. The Museum is the most 
splendid edifice I have ever seen — its numerous 
walls, and floors beautifully decorated with 
shells — its pillars laid with all kinds of pre- 
cious stones — its furniture, clock-cases, &c., 
adorned with inlaid tortoise-shells, and a thou- 
sand other things of superb grandeur. My 
conductor directed me to another part of the 



108 

building, where the statue of the late queen 
is exhibited, sculptured in white marble, as 
beautiful and lovely as if she was alive and 
lying asleep. 

ThQ Prince Regent's Palace is a small but 
elegant building, surrounded by beautiful 
gardens and artificial fountains, from which 

o 

is springing columns of water, many yards in 
height, clear as cr3^stal. In one of these gardens 
I accidentally met the princess and one of her 
attendant ladies, the wife of Count Van Graben. 
The princess was dressed as plain as an Ame- 
rican farmer's daughter is when she goes to 
see a neighbour. 

When I returned to the city I found severe 1 
visiters waiting for me, some of whom had come 
about thirty miles to hear anAmerican preacher. 
At four p. ar. they had the oppoitunity, for I 
preached the missionary anniversary sermon 
in the garrison church. There were about two 
thousand people present, upon whom the spirit 
of the Lord moved powerfully. jNIay the king- 
dom of Christ prosper. 

Thursday, 18th. Went to see the castle 
sometimes occupied by Frederick the Great. I 
went through the various apartments of splen- 
dour, and visited also the Marble Palace, so 



109 



called because the entire interior is of marble. 
Here I saw the infant king of Prussia — a beau- 
tiful boy, now four or five years old. In the 
evening I attended a theological meeting, com- 
posed of ministers and candidates. They were 
men of learning, but I had to differ with them 
on the subject of conviction and conversion, 
and endeavoured to show the contrast be- 
tween our opinions, and explain the difference. 
At their request I related my experience, and 
told them how I got into the ministry ; but the 
whole matter seemed to them a sealed book — 
they had never heard the like before. 

On the 19th, (Friday) I returned to Berlin, 
after an absence of nine days, and was received 
by friends with open arms — never shall I forget 
their affectionate cordiality. The next day 
I preached two or three limes; and on Sunday, 
21st, as I thought, preached my farewell ser- 
mon to the friends at Berlin, in the Moravian 
church. The service commenced at six o'clock 
in the evening, and the place was crowded. 
I preached from. Acts xx. 32. We had a very 
solemn time, and it would be considered vanity 
in me were I to describe the deep affection ma- 
nifested toward me, while they wept bitterly 
at my departure. A large concourse of people 
6 



110 

met me at the door and affectionately bade me 
farewell. My kind host, Judge T., was waiting 
for me with his carriage, in which was his 
amiable sister and two comitesses. We were 
driven to the count's house, where I was re- 
ceived with great kindness, and introduced to 
several gentlemen, counts and officers of the 
army. They were dressed in splendid uni- 
form. They were perfectly familiar, having 
none of that aristocratic stiffness which an 
American supposes inseparable from European 
titled nobles. I spent a pleasant evening with 
them, and before we parted the countess 
brought me the Bible, so I read a chapter and 
pra^^ed Avith them. They all kneeled during 
prayer. 

Monday, 22d. Owing to various circum- 
stances I had again to preach in this city. It 
was in the Rev. Mr. Gosner's church, which, 
by the time appointed, was overflowing. I 
preached from Isaiah Ix. 20, " Thy sun shall 
no more go down ; neither sliall thy moon with- 
draw itself: for the Lord shall be thine ever- 
lasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall 
be ended." The congregation were deeply 
affected, but we rejoiced in the contemplation 
of that period when aU tears shall be wiped 



Ill 



away, and where none will say farewell. A 
kind providence has supplied my wants during 
rny stay here, and I leave with demonstra- 
tions of regret on the part of the peopie. 

At ten this evening I joined a party of friends 
(eight) who were about to accompany me to 
Koenigsberg, a village about foity miles east 
of Berlin. The friends from Koenigsberg met 
us at a certain place, so \xe changed carriages 
and joined them. We staid awhile at New- 
Waldcn to see the sulphur springs, and 
then went on our vv a}^ and arrived at our place 
of destination about three r. m. It is difficult 
for a stranger to obtain the use of pulpits here. 
Some of the clergy are finable ten dollars if 
they give their pulpit to a stranger.. But it is 
seldom any body is found weak enough to give 
the information to the authorities. Yet Satan 
is very cunning, and will not readily give up 
his dominions. However, after showing my 
credentials and recommendations from some of 
the most eminent men in Germany and Berlin, 
I had access to the pulpits, and obtained the 
friendship and esteem of the several pastors. 
There is a wide field of labour, and thousands 
anxious to hear the word. Whenever I preached 
many wept aloud, and hundreds gave evidence 



112 

that they hungered and thirsted after righte- 
ousness. The people want the bread of life, 
but there are few, very few, to distribute it to 
them. 

I preached frequenth^ here and in the neigh- 
bouring places, and it was quite evident that 
good was done by the simple preaching of the 
cross. The day of eternity will reveal the se- | 
crets of all hearts, and we shall then know, 
and only then, how much good has been done. 
To the name of the Lord be all the glory. 

Tuesday, June SOth. After breakfast called 
on Bishop Ritschl, who received me kindly, 
and authorized me to accept any invitation that 
might be made b}^ any of his clergy to occupy 
their pulpits. From all I could see, I judge 
the bishop is a good and pious man. I next 
called upon the first council, Lord Von Middle- 
staeth,brother-in-law to m}^ friend Judge Tocke, 
of Berlin. I found him and his lady both 
christians, and during my stay in this place 
manifested great kindness towards me. On 
this dajT- I met with the pastor of the French 
reformed church, whose christian character has 
long been exemplaiy. He offered me the use 
of his pulpit. 



.113 



■ CHAPTER Vril. 

Letter from Home — A little Controversy — Visit to 
Stultgard — BisJioj) Otto, and tJie ancient Baptis- 
mal Font — Inconsistent Consistory -^ J\Ialicious 
Letter from Berlin — Lts Recantation— Detained 
at Hoff- — Interview xoith a Shepherd— Professor 
Greene and Lady Danville, Kentxichy — Pass on to 
Nuernberg — Churches and Burying Grounds — 
Female Labour in the Markets — Ignorance of our 
Country — Note respecting Luther. 

Wednesday, July Ist, 1835. During this 
and the two following days I was very much 
indisposed, having taken cold. Fever and 
hoarseness were the result, which continued a 
few days with some severity. On Saturday, 
l-kh, I was much gratified by the reception of 
a letter from my family at New Orleans, espe- 
cially after I had made my self acquainted with 
its contents. It contained the cheering news 
of the conversion of my second son, who writes 
me he has made up liis mind to serve the 
Lord and put his hand to the gospel plough. 
May God, in mercy, prepare him for his spiri- 
tual warfare, and sustain him in the conflict. 



114 

Though my bod}' vas enfeebled by affliction, 
my soul was full of joy, and my friends here 
rejoiced with mc. 

In a day or two I recovered from my afflic- 
tion, and was enabled to prosecute my labours 
in the church, and attend the house of God. 

Tuesday, 7th. Early in the morning I was 
awoke bj' some one knocking at my door. It 
was an elderly gentleman who wished to have 
some talk with me on the goodness of God, and 
entreat me not to leave the city so soon as I 
had appointed, viz., within six or eight days. 
While at breakfast the servant announced 
another visiter, whom I found to be a lady de- 
sirous of conversing about Jesus. Soon after 
this two others came, one of whom was an 
elderly lady, I believe seventy-three years of 
age — she wept bitterly for her sins, and be- 
cause she had not found the. pardon and peace 
of the gospel. I directed her to Jesus, who 
receiveth sinners in the eleventh hour. The 
young lady who was with her enjoyed religion, 
and had been made the instrument of bringing 
the old lady to a sense of her danger. May 
they both find eternal life through Jesus 
Christ. 

Spent this evening with Professor Schults 
and some of his friends, among whom were 



115 

several clergymen. One of these latter entered 
into an argument with a pious lieutenant in the 
army. The clergyman stated, and tried to 
prove, that a sinner could be saved without 
believing the divinity of Christ. His anta- 
gonist asked, on what principle ? He an- 
swered, a man may become acquainted with 
the lovely character of Jesus, and resolve to 
imitate the same, and by so doing get to hea- 
ven. Of course he excluded the necessity of 
the atonement and rejected the only foundation 
laid in Zion. I had listened to his talk some 
time rather impatiently, and obtained permis- 
sion to ask a question, which was readily, 
granted. I said to the clergyman, " do you 
believe your Bible .^" He answered in the af- 
firmative. " Well sir," said I, " what do these 
passages of Scripture mean .^" ' Without faith 
it is impossible to please God,' and ' He that 
believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he 
that believeth not shall be damned.' " These 
passages confused him not a little, and it 
seemed as though he then heard them for the 
first time. However, being near midnight, I 
retired in company with my host, and, accord- 
ing to arrangement, took extra post to Stuttgard 
about eighteen miles distant. We arrived 



116 

there about five o'clock next morning, and took 
up our abode with Captain Vonden Brincken, 
an officer in the Pussian service, and an humble 
soldier of King Messiah. He quickly formed 
a plan for my preaching to the people, and suc- 
ceeding in obtaining the Reformed Church. 
The pastor freely gave his consent, being a 
pious follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. 
The appointment was made for six in the 
evening, so that there were but four hours in 
which to make it kno^vn. Nevertheless the 
church was filled to overflowing, and everybody 
attentive and orderly. I regret to have to 
except a clergyman, who came in drunk, and 
seemed very uneasy. He is the first pastor of 
one of the finest churches in these parts. I 
understand he has a colleague who is as great 
a libertine as he is a drunkard, guilty of abo- 
minations which are revolting to human nature, 
and disgraceful to any man, especially a cler- 
gyman. What a deplorable condition their 
congregation must be in, with such examples, 
such practical contradictions to the power 
and truth of the gospel. These are not alone, 
there are many more of their stamp in this 
kingdom, who proclaim " liberty to others 
while they themselves are the slaves of corrup- 



117 



tion." May God in mercy deliver my country 
and nation from such a blighting curse and 
withering blast ! 

Tuesday, 9th. Left Stuttgard at four a. m. 
and set out for Pyritz, having in our company 
Count Hastinger and Count Smith. We ar- 
rived at our journey's end early in the day, and 
an arrangement was made for me to preach at 
night. By six o'clock the church vx^as crowded, 
and the Lord was in our midst. We had an 
interesting meeting. During the day I went to 
the place where stood the font in which Bishop 
Otto baptized the first Christians in this 
country. It was surrounded with a handsome 
wall, upon the face of which was inscribed an 
account of the baptism aforesaid. The present 
King of Prussia erected a beautiful granite 
cross over the font, eight or ten feet high. 

On Friday the 12th, left Pyritz at noon and 
arrived at Stettin. Soon many friends visited 
me, and on Sunday at two o'clock, owing to 
my being a stranger from America, the church 
was fuller that had been seen in a long time. 
I used great plainness of speech on the pre- 
vaihng sins of the age, both of priests and 
people. Satan raged, being very much afraid 
6* 



118 

of losing liis kingdom. But the truth must be 
told. 

This da}' I had the pleasure of being intro- 
duced to Mr. Pinkerton, agent of the London 
Bible Society. He has founded all the Bible 
Societies in German}', and I found him, what 
every man in his occupation ought to be, a 
christian, a scholar, and a gentleman. 

It appeared, for several days after this, as 
though Satan was trying his utmost to prevent 
me from doing good and preaching the gospel. 
One minister allowed me his pulpit, and then 
sent word I could not have it. He understood 
I was very plain, and he, Jonah-like, was afraid 
to preach repentance to Nineveh. After all, I 
find in my Bible a solace and calm for every 
disquieted feeling, and it is the only weapon 
which I desire to use in fighting my way 
through this miserable world. 

Wednesday, 15th. In the afternoon visited 
several clergymen, one of whom offered me his 
pulpit. Three of them were playing at chess, 
drinking wine and smoking their pipes. I in- 
troduced the subject of religion, and related my 
own experience. They were utterly amazed, 
and stared me in the face. It was evident that 



119 

if they had not seen they at least had heard 
strange things. 

About this date, and some days afterwards, 
I had more than an usual number of friends 
called to see me. Many from places six or ten 
miles distant, bringing invitations to return 
with them and preach to their people. I could 
only attend to some. Oh ! how lamentable it 
is, that there should be such an abundant har- 
vest of precious souls and so few faithful la- 
bourers ! 

A company of about ten or twelve went with 
me to a town called Greivewhagen, and early 
on Monday, 20th, the superintendant was ap- 
plied to for the use of the church. He at first 
refused, but was repeatedly urged, and at last 
reluctanth- consented, or, perhaps, we may sa}'-, 
partial!}^ consented. He wished to see me, 
and, even then, he would only allow us an 
hour and a half to make it knov.-n. He re- 
fused to order the bell to be rung, and would not 
allow the organist to perform upon his instru- 
ment. After som.e conversation I showed hira 
my credentials and recommendations, and he 
softened down, ordered the little bell to be 
rung, and the organist to play, and, withal, 
offered to accompany me to church. He did 



120 

so — there were a thousand people present, still 
as the grave, solemn as death, and many were 
deeply aifected. After preaching I went into 
the vestry, and had scarcely sat down, when 
the old man came in. I arose and met him, 
he was much affected, spoke approving words 
respecting the sermon, and threw his arms 
round my neck, and urged me to stay longer, as 
also did others. I mention this simply to show 
how God can change the hearts of men, and 
make their wrath praise him. I could not help 
smiling, and being somewhat diverted, at the 
excitement produced in a small town by the 
appearance of a stranger, especially an Ame- 
rican. They crowded to their doors as in 
America they do when an elephant passes, 
having some curious idea about our colour or 
shape, or some other peculiarity. 

Thursday, 23d. This and the two or three 
following days was attended with some diffi- 
culties, arising from the opposition of the con- 
sistory to my preaching. My authority was 
disputed by them because it was of American 
origin, and because my ordination was effected 
in America they considered it invalid there. 
Nor would the attestation and approval of se- 
veral distinguished European ministers, coupled 
with tlie authority of the Bishop suffice, who 



121 



had given me authority to occupy any pulpit to 
which I might be invited. I resisted their or- 
der, and determined to oppose their arbitrary 
proceedings with meekness. Their movements 
were ex parte, for they had commenced this stir 
and opposition while the Bishop was out of 
town, as also several of my staunch and un- 
flinching friends in the consistory. I was will- 
ing, however, to comply with the law of the 
land, whatever that might be — this they did 
not make known to me, and I knew it was not 
opposed to my conduct. At this time I re- 
ceived many invitations to preach, but I de- 
clined, willing to avoid offence. It was evi- 
dent, however, from what I could hear, that 
the offence was on the other side. The con- 
sistory had much offended the people by their 
conduct toward me. Of course I had much 
anxiety of mind as to how the matter would 
terminate. 

On Friday, 31st, I went to his majesty's pri- 
vate counsellor, who informed me that the Rev. 
gentlemen who composed the consistory had,one 
and all, got themselves into difficulty. And it 
seemed as though they must determine to serve 
either God or the devil fully. Public opinion 
was arrayed against them, and they must either 



122 



change their course, or receive general exe- 
cration. 

On Sunday, the 2d of August, I called upon 
the Bisliop and related to him every fact in the 
case. The Bishop assured me that all should 
be satisfactorily settled, and that I need not be 
discouraged, he believed all would be right. 
And so it was — affairs were amicably adjusted, 
and I again preached and exhorted in the 
meetings to the satisfaction and profit of all. 
To God be all the glory ! 

Mondaj^ 3d. This being the King's birth- 
day, there was much show and noise. The 
day was celebrated much after the manner of 
our fourth of July. The uniform of the soldieiy 
was rather more splendid than ours. 

Wednesday, 5th. It seems as though my 
troubles were not at an end. All was peace and 
quietness here, when some person from Berlin 
brought a letter to the consistory, impugning 
my character and motives, and saying many 
disrespectful things of me. I obtained the letter 
and went immediately to Berlin — my friends 
were very glad to see me, and all were igno- 
rant of any movement against me. It was pri- 
vate malice alone, and I therefore, in company 
with a friend, went direct to the author of the 



123 

letter, and laid it before him. He was utterly 
confused, and confessed he had wronged me. 
He wrote a recantation of all he had said to 
the person by whom he sent the letter against 
me, and withal gave me a copy thereof. When 
he had done this he begged I would not ex- 
pose the letter or publish it in Berlin, and to 
satisfy him that I did not mean to injure him, 
or bear malice, I tore the obnoxious letter in 
pieces. This seemed to break his heart, and 
he confessed he v.'as more than ever satisfied of 
my uprightness, inasmuch as I had not mani- 
fested any ill-will toward him. The copy of 
the recantation he gave me, I inclosed to the 
Bishop of Stettin, who filed it among the acts 
and records of the city. Thus terminated this 
harassing affair, and I was, through the mercy 
of God, triumphant above all my foes. 

A kind providence has given me many 
friends, and these have proved their attachment 
to me in my distress. They have not forsaken 
me, and I goon, as usual, preaching and trying 
to be good. 

On Tuesday, 11th, I secured a land-pass to 
Stuttgard, in Wirtemberg, and, after spending 
the next day in parting with my friends and 
paying a few visits, on Thursday, 13th, I start- 



124 

ed. We passed through many towns and vil- 
lages, one of which was Wittenberg, the scene 
of Luther's actions, where a monument is 
erected to his memory*. We travelled slowly, 
and on Tuesday, 18th, arrived at Hoff", in the 
kingdom of Bavaria. On presenting my pass 
to the police-officer, he stated it was unlawful, 
and that I could proceed no farther. It 
lacked a Bavarian seal, signed by the consu 
of that kingdom This was trying, as it would 
detain me at least four days. However I was 
obliged to submit, and my papers had to be 
sent back to Leipzic for the purpose aforesaid. 
On the next day I met with a young minister, 
who is settled here, and determined to preach 
Christ and him crucified to his people. This 
alone will be the means of good to souls. May 
God prosper his labours. 

Thursday, 20th. After breakfast I walked 
in the fields, and had a little conversation with 
some of the rustics. I perceive the common 
people are ignorant of the gospel facts and 
doctrines. The farmers were too busy to talk, 
but I met with a shepherd, to whom I said, 
" What was the best news ever brought to 
shepherds in the field ?" He said, " he did 
not know." I told him by rehearsing, " And 

* See note, page 130. 



125 

the angel said lUito them, fear not, behold I 
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall 
be to all people." He said, " Aj^e, but 
that has not yet come to pass." I said it had, 
and how, relating the circumstances of the birth 
of Christ. I said to him, " Can you tell me 
who it was that said, ' lam the good shepherd, 
and know my sheep.' " He could not recol- 
lect. I said, " was it not Paul.^" He said, 
" O yes ! that is his name." I told him he 
was in error, but that it was Jesus, to which 
statement he also assented, thus showing his 
ignorance of simple matters of fact narrated in 
the gospel. I gave the poor man some good 
advice, and pursued my rambles through the 
fields. I found several others w^ho had no 
better ideas of saving truth than the poor shep- 
herd ," and it is unquestionably true, that where 
ignorance pervades the minds of an}^ people, 
there cannot be any true religion. Ignorance 
may produce fanaticism and bigotr}'", but it 
cannot be the means of inducing devotion, 
which is the essence of true religion. The 
next day m}'' papei's returned from Leipzic, 
properly attested by the Bavarian consul, and 
I immediately took passage to Nuernberg. On 
Saturday, just before I started, I had the plea- 



126 



sure of meeting with Professor Greene and his 
lady, from Danville, Kentucky. None but 
those who have experienced it can appreciate 
the gratification felt by the accidental meeting 
of friends and countrymen in a foreign land. 
For m3'sclf, I feel an ardent attachment to my 
country and government, and in this land of 
oppression I feel my heart elated, and my spi- 
rits raised when 1 think and can say, Ich bin 
Ein Anierkaner Mem Hcrr. (I am an Ameri- 
can.) The Professor and his lady accompanied 
me to Nuernberg in a stage, where we arrived 
at eight a. m. next day. I was kindly received, 
and the Rev. Mr. Merchel invited me to make 
his house my home during my stay in this city. 
Monday, 24th. Rose refreshed and rested, 
took a walk to the grave-yard, and as it is so 
very ditferent from any thing seen in America, I 
may be excused giving a short description 
thereof. It is a large piece of ground sur- 
rounded by a wall. Inside arc a church, an old 
chapel, and other buildings. The interiors of 
the church and chapel are decorated with busts 
and paintings. There are also many sculp- 
tured monuments and statues in the yard. 
Among others are Christ and the two male- 
factors, in full size, hewn out of the solid rock. 



127 



The graves are first made eight or ten feet 
deep, and the bodies are placed one above 
another according as they die, and when the 
vault is full, a tomb-stone is placed over the 
grave, with a brass plate inlaid. This plate 
contains tlie name of the head of the familv, 
when and where he was born, when he died, 
Src, with the lamil}^ coat of arms. From the 
inscrii^tions I perceived some of these were 
very ancient. The churches here are nearty 
all in the ancient Gothic style, full of busts and 
images inside and out. I spent several hours 
among these mansions of the dead, and then re- 
paired to the temples of the living. 

Wednesday, 26th. At seven o'clock this 
morning I preached in a large and splendid 
church. The service was not extensive!}^ 
announced, and therefore the congregation 
small, nevertheless the spirit of the Lord was 
with us, and many were much affected. After 
sermon a clergyman's lady approached me 
and burst into tears. She said she was con- 
strained by christian love to invite me to her 
house. She was so affected as to forget to state 
where she lived, and retired. However, in 
about an hour after she returned, and I went 
home with her. Had a pleasant interview with 



128 



her husband, who kindly invited me to occupy 
his pulpit the following Sabbath, to which I 
consented. 

Saturday, 29th. I took a ramble through 
the city, passing through the market. Here 
there are. vegetables of all kinds in abundance, 
and fruits also. Apples, pears, apricots, and 
plumbs of all varieties. Here are also live 
hogs, ducks, geese, chickens, and pigeons, by 
thousands. In short, there is a plentiful sup- 
ply of all the necessaries of life, I have often 
shuddered, when in large European cities, to 
see the drudgery and hard labour to which 
females are subjected. The beautiful and 
young, the homely and aged, all alike exposed 
to the greatest servility. Here they often carry 
as much as a feeling man in America would 
place upon the back of his mule. Females 
could never have been intended for such em- 
ployments, and thus to enslave them is a dis- 
grace to any civilized nation. 

The houses of this city are built of brick or 
stone, from three to six stories high, painted 
white or yellow. The streets are very irregu- 
lar, and since there are no side-wallcs, any 
person is in danger of being run over. In the 
course of my peregrinations I met with and 



129 

took a view of the church in which I am to 
preach to-morrow. It is a Gothic pile, first 
built in 1200, but repaired a few years ago. 
It will hold two thousand people. As in most 
other ancient churches, it contains a great 
number of carved busts and images. The an- 
cient fortifications here are worth an examina- 
tion. They consist of a trench, eighty or one 
hundred feet wide, and, twenty-five or thirty 
feet deep. This is walled on both sides, with 
large blocks of free-stone, some of which are 
very much decayed. 

This afternoon I received a note from the 
hand of a clergyman which enclosed two Ba- 
varian dollars. I will here give the note trans- 
lated from the German. " A smaU pittance 
from an anonymous poor penitent sinner, to 
the Rev. preacher from North America, to help 
him on his journey. Praying the Lord that he 
would bring this faithful shepherd of souls in 
good health back to the arms of his dear fa- 
mily, and may the words spoken by him be 
blessed of the Lord, amen." I mention this 
incident, not because of its certification res- 
pecting me and my labours, but because of the 
liberality and good feeling it manifests towards 
a stranger in a strange land. 



130 



Monday, 31st. Preached 3'estcrday, accord- 
ing to previous arrangement, to about three 
thousand souls, who were seriously attentive. 
I had some conversation to-day with a clergy- 
man about America. Some of these learned 
gentlemen know very little about our country. 
And yet some of them know more about it, in 
their own conceit, than myself, who was born 
and brought up in the countr}^, and lived forty- 
six years therein, and in that time travelled 
over nearly every state in the union. Such 
may be forgiven, as our beloved country has 
been much traduced by foreign writers who 
have visited our shores. 

Luther and Witteneerg*. As mention has 
been made of the great reformer, Luther, in con- 
nexion with Wittenberg, it may not be amiss 
to refresh tlie memory of the reader, by reca- 
pitulating some of the events which there oc- 
cm'red, especially as these, in their then future 
operations, produced such an astonishing 
moral revolution in the world. We are in- 
debted to that elaborate w^ork, " Enc3^clopedia 
Americana," for an excellent sketch of the 
great reformer's life. It is there stated that, 
" he (Luther) in 1507, was consecrated priest, 
and in 1508, by the influence of his patron, 

* See page 124. 



131 

Staupitz, he was made professor of philosophy 
in the New University of Wittenberg. In this 
sphere of action his powerful mind soon showed 
itself. He threw off the fetters of scholastic 
philosophy, so intimately connected with the 
papal hierarchy, asserted the rights of reason, 
and soon collected a large number of disciples. 
In 1510 he visited the court of Pope Leo X. 
at Rome, on business entrusted to him by his 
order. This journey revealed to him the irre- 
ligion and corruption of the clergy at Rome, 
and destroyed his reverence for the sanctity of 
the pope. After his return he became a 
preacher at Wittenberg, and in 1512 he was 
made a doctor in theology. As such, his oath 
bound him, as he thought, to the fearless de- 
fence of the Holy Scriptures. His profound 
learning, which embraced an intimate acquaint- 
ance with the ancient classics, the fathers of 
the church, and the spirit of the Greek and 
Hebrew languages, together with the fame of 
his eloquence, soon made Luther known to the 
principal scholars, and esteemed as a powerful 
advocate of the new light, which was breaking 
upon the world. Great, therefore, was the at- 
tention excited by his ninety-five propositions, 
given to the world October 31, 1517, and in- 



13.2 



tended to put an end to the sale of indulgences, 
the unhappy effects of which had appeared al- 
ready in his congregation at Wittenberg. 

Ambition or hatred of the Dominicans had 
no influence in producing this measure. His 
propositions were condemned as heretical as 
soon as they appeared. Hogstraaten, a Do- 
minican at Cologne, Dr. Eck at Ingoldstadt, 
and Prierias, an officer of the Roman court, 
immediately began an attack upon Luther ; but 
neither their invectives, nor the papal summons 
to Rome, which he did not obey, nor the mild 
exhortations of the Cardinal Cajetau, at Augs- 
berg, in 1518, and of the Munico Miltibz, at 
Attenburg, in 1519, with alluring offers from 
the Pope himself, were sufficient to induce him 
to recant. He replied to his opponents with 
boldness and determination, and even after his 
dispute with Eck, at Leipsic, in 1519, he still 
maintained the invalidity of indulgences, and of 
the papal supremac3^ No one answered him, 
and he appealed with justice, from the deci- 
sion of Cajetau, to the pope, and from the pope 
to a general council." 

But, perhaps, the most important act that 
ever Luther performed at Wittenberg, was 
that by which he practically renounced all 



133 

recognition of papal authority. It arose ©ut 
of the conduct of the papists towards him, 
and is thus described in the work quoted 
above : "In 1520 Luther and his friends 
were excommunicated. His writings were 
burnt at Rome, Cologne, and Louvain. In- 
dignant at this open act of hostility, after his 
modest letter, in which he had showed himself 
desirous of reconciliation, declared his sub- 
mission to the pope, and advocated a reform in 
the church. Luther burned the bull of excom- 
munication, and the decretals of the papal 
canon at Wittenberg, December 10, 1520. 
By this act he dissolved all connexion with the 
pope and the Roman church, Frederick, the 
elector of Saxony, seemed in doubt whether he 
should protect him. But the worthiest of the 
German noblemen, Hunter, Sickengar,Schaum- 
burz, whom he called upon to defend the new 
opinions, hailed him as the champion of reli- 
gious liberty, and offered him their fortress and 
their arms ; but Luther wished no protector 
but God." Luther began the work of puri- 
fying the liturgy in Wittenberg in 1523, and by 
his laying aside the cowl, " gave the signal for 
the abolition of monasteries." From 1526 to 
1529 he was engaged in preparing a new 
7 



134 



church service, corresponding with his views 
of gospel truth. He had much opposition, and 
many conflicts for a series of 3^ears. Luther 
died in 1/346, at Eisleden, and was buried in 
the cathedral church at Wittenberg. The mo- 
nument mentioned in the foregoing chapter 
has since been erected to his memory. 



135 



CHAPTER IX. 

Visit to Sttitfgard— Difficulty of preaching there— - 
Sivitzerland—The River Rhine— The Alps- 
Beautiful Scenery — Schaffhaiisen — Guerck — 
Found a Ncwicsake—Lavater-— Basle Cathedral 

Erasmus — Mouse Toiuer — Revisited Hamburg 

from Bremen — Return tliither—T reparations for 
sailing to ihe United States— Passage across the 
Atlantic— Arrival at Neio-Orlcans. 

September 1st, .1835. For several days 
after this date I could not make myself as ex- 
tensively useful as previously, in consequence 
of my being debarred from preaching in the 
pulpits, this being contrary to their established 
usage. However, by visiting and conversa- 
tion, and other means, I endeavoured to do 
good. By request I visited a society of fe- 
males, who meet once every month to sew and 
knit. They appropriated the proceeds of their 
joint labour to the cause of foreign missions. I 
gave them much information respecting Ame- 
rica, in answer to various questions. We sang 



136 



a hymn and parted in peace. Not being able 
to succeed in this place as much as I desired, 
and especially because I could not obtain the 
use of the pulpits, I determined to leave, and 
consequently took my passage for Stuttgard. 
I arrived there at five p. m. the next day. There 
is much spiritual despotism in this place also, 
and none but those legally authorized dare open 
their mouths in a public place of worship. 
This is a land of ceremonies, many of which 
are directly opposed to the spirit of the gospel, 
and consequently detrimental to its progress. 
There are, however, many pious people, and 
several clergymen, who are truly devoted to 
God. I had an interview with one Professor 
Schubert, an able advocate of the Christian 
religion, as well as a gentleman of high literary 
attainments. 

There is another thing which often gives me 
much pain of mind, and it is this, that when 
persons convinced of sin and heavy laden are 
in distress, there are so few to take them by 
the hand and lead them to Christ the Saviour ; 
and sinners thus impressed seldom have 
courage to inquire of those whom they think 
would lead them aright. Thus, between hope 
and fear, inward and outward conflict, such as 



137 



these often lead a miserable life and die in des- 
pair. Who would not pray that the Sun of 
Righteousness may arise with healing in his 
wings, and shed over the world light and 
truth ; or we might adopt the language of a 
beautiful hymn which may be found, I believe, 
in the Methodist collection. 

" Jesus, the word of mercy give, 
And let it swiftly run ; 
And let the priests themselves believe, 
And put salvation on. 

Cloth'd with the spirit of holiness, 

May all thy people prove 
The plenitude of gospel grace, 

The joy of perfect love. 

Jesus, let all thy lovers shine, 

Illustrious as the sun : 
And bright with borrow'd rays divine, 

Their glorious circuit run. 

Beyond tho reach of mortals spread 
Their light where'er they go ; 
. And heavenly influences shed 
On all the world below. 

As the bright sun of righteousness, 

Their healing wings display ! 
And let their lustre still increase 

Unto the perfect day. 



138 



It is remarkable vrith what caution and deli- 
beration all the clergy act as regards giving the 
use of their pulpits, and affording privileges to 
strangers. This has already been intimated, 
but after this date T had still more proof of it. 
One clergyman would give his consent, and 
then another must be consulted, and perhaps 
another, and so forth. Thus it was on one oc- 
casion, every arrangement was made for mj'- 
occupying a certain pulpit, when I was inform- 
ed Mr. So and So must be advised v/ith. I 
went the next day to him, but he refused me 
his hand, and was somewhat uncourteous ; but 
I took all in good part, and began to reason 
with him, after which he gave his consent, 
though somewhat reluctantly. Thus, after 
much difficulty and trouble, I gained access to 
the pulpit, and once more declared the good 
news of salvation to a great multitude, who 
were deeply serious and attentive. The spirit 
of God must have vv^rought powerfull}' on many 
hearts, as all, or nearh"" all, were in tears. A 
person I met with next day said he thought he 
knew something about American revivals, 
since he had heard me preach. He said people 
could not but feel under plain gospel preaching, 
and consequently fall down and cry for mercy. 



139 



I gave him to understand that his idea was 
thereabouts correct, and that our preachers in 
America aimed more at doing good than at 
display, by systematic and formal proceedings. 
It would seem also that my preaching here had 
caused some excitement in the place, and there 
was a general inquiry whether I could not stay 
a little longer and preach again. I consented 
to stay two days, and was engaged to preach 
on the Wednesday, this being Monday. I 
did so, and the church was crowded. I took for 
my text, Matt. xi. 28, 30, verses. The Lord 
was present in power. This was at three 
p. M. In the evening I attended two other 
meetings, and bade the friends farewell. We 
shall, perhaps, see each other no more until we 
meet where there is no parting and no 
farewell. 

Thursday, 17th. This day I took passage 
for SchafFhausen, in Switzerland. We passed 
through Waldenburg, Tuebingen, and Kechlin- 
gan ; the last named is a small dukedom. The 
scenery along the road is exquisitely beautiful. 
Mountains and rugged hills, adorned with peaks 
and old castles. Many submarine shells lay 
scattered among the rocks, and every thing- 
looked enchanting and gay. We supped at 
Tuttengen, and then sable night threw her 



140 

mantle over the earth, and hid the beautiful 
scenery from our view. 

Friday, I8th. A little after dayhght we 
passed the line that divides Wirtemberg from; 
Switzerland, and soon afterwards saw the beau- 
tiful Rhine, meandering its serpentine course at 
the foot of the mountains. It would be folly in 
me to attempt a description of this noble river. 
It has been done by abler hands, nor can I re- 
sist the temptation to insert a paragraph here 
from the article, Rhine, in the Americana En- 
cyclopedia. It exactly suits our purpose, and 
will gratify the inquisitive reader. 

** There are rivers whose course is longer, 
and whose volume of water is greater, but none 
which unites almost every thing that can render 
an earthly object magnificent and charming, in 
the same degree as the Rhine. As it flows down 
from the distant ridges of the Alps, through 
fertile regions into the open sea, so it comes 
down from remote antiquity, associated in 
every age with momentous events in the his- 
tory of the neighbouring nations. A river 
which presents so m.any historical recollections, 
of Roman conquests and defeats, of the chival- 
ric exploits of the feudal period, of the wars 
and negociations of modern times, of the core- 



141 



nations of emperors whose bones repose by its 
side ; on whose borders stand the two greatest 
i, monuments of the noble architecture of the 
^middle a^es; whose banks present eveiyva. 
riety of wild and picturesque rocks, thick for- 
rests, fertile plains, vineyards sometimes gently 
sloping, sometimes perched among lofty craigs, 
where industry has won a domain among the 
fortresses of nature ; whose banks are orna- 
mented witli populous cities, flourishing towns 
and villages, castles and ruins, with which a 
thousand legends are connected, beautiful and 
romantic roads, and salutary mineral springs ; 
a river whose waters offer choice fish, as its 
banks offer the choicest wines ; which, m its 
course of nine hundred miles, affords six hun- 
dred and thirty miles of uninterrupted naviga- 
tion, from Basle to the sea, and enables the 
inhabitants of its banks to exchange the rich 
and various products of its shores; whose 
cities, famous for commerce, science, and works 
of strength, which furnish protection to Ger- 
many, are also famous as the seats of Roman 
colonies, and of ecclesiastical councils, and are 
associated with many of the most important 
events recorded in history ;-such a river it is 
not surprising that the Germans regard with a 
7* 



us 



kind of reverence, and frequenii}^ call it in 
-poetvj, father Rhine, or ling Rhine.'^ 

Reference is also made in the next paragrap! 
of the above article to descriptions of this sce- 
nery given by a Avell known bard. His writ- 
ings, on the whole, ore not the most unexcep- 
tionable, indeed he is much open to censure ; 
nevertheless his poetr}'-, as such, is of the- most 
elevated cast. His lines on the Rhine are ini- 
mitable, and thus conclude : 

*\ Adieu to ihee, ftiir Rhine I How long delighted, 
The stranger fain would linger on his way ! 
Thine is a scene alike where souls united, 
Or lonely contemplation thus might stray ; 
And could the ceaseless vultures cease to prey 
On self-condemning bosoms, it were here. 
Where nature, nor too somhre nor too gav. 
Wild but not riidc, awful but not austere, 

Is to the mellow earth as autumn to the year. 

" Adieu to thee again 1 a vain adieu ! 
There can be no farewell to scenes like thine ; 
The mind is colour'd by thy every hue ; 
And if reluctantly the eyes resign 
Their cherish'd gaze upon thee, lovely Rhine 1 
'Tis with the thankfid glance of parting praise ; 
More mighty spots may rise — more glaring shine. 
But none unite in one attaching maze 

The brilliant, fair, and seft, the glories of old days'- 

" The negligently grand, the fruitful bloom 
Of coming ripeness, the white city's sheen, 
The rolling stream, the precipice's gloom, 
The forrest's gro\^lh, and golhic walls between 



i 



143 

The wild rocks, shaped as they had turrets been 
In mockery of man's art ; and these withal 
A race of faces happy as ihe scene 
Whose fertile bounties here extend to all, 
Still springing o'er thy banks, though empires near them fall" 

In the above quotation there is as much of 
truth as poetry. It v/oiild be next to impos- 
sible to exaggerate in portraying the beauties 
and loveliness of this paradisaical spot. How 
irresistibly impressive are the last two lines of 
the abo\'e stanza. We could almost imagine 
wc behold on one hand nature sending forth 
her bounties in rich profusion, for the suste- 
nance of life, and on the other rude war devas- 
tating the abodes of men, andt3'ranny invading 
another's home, and undermining the founda,- 
tion of long-established governments. " Em- 
pires near them fall" — they crumble into ruins. 
Pass away from tliese scenes and v/hat then ? 
Nature still is Ijeautiful, and clothed in robes 
of purest white. Hear the poet above quoted. 

" But these recede. Above me arc the Alps, 

The palaces of nature, wliosc vast walls 

Have pinnacled in clouds tb.clr snowy acalpa, 

And throned elernity in icy halls 

Of cold sublinsity, where forms and falls 

The avalanche — the thunderbolt of anow. 

All that expands the spirit, yet appals, 

Gather around these summits as to show 
How carthmay pierce to heaven, and leava vain man below." 



144 

The reader will readily forgive the above in- 
teresting interruption of the narrative, as it so 
fully and beautifully describes scenes and 
places that require the touch of poetry. The 
muse may try her choicest strains, and not ex- 
ceed the romance and elegance presented to 
our view in this part of the world. 

We arrived at Schaff hausen about six in the 
morning. I went to an inn and breakfasted 
on Dutch soup. Tarried till eight, and 
then called upon the Rev. M. Burghard, to 
whom I had a letter of introduction. He was 
not within, but his amiable lady treated me 
with great kindness as well as politeness, and 
shortly after Mr. Burghard came in. He gave 
me a hearty welcome to his house, bidding me 
make it my home while I remained in this 
place. I very thankfully accepted the invita- 
tion, and found both very agreeable and kind. 
Through these friends I was introduced to 
many families in Schaffhausen, and spent a 
pleasant time. 

Saturda}^, 19th. This afternoon a young 
man accompanied me to behold the falls of the 
Rhine. Being fond of natural curiosities, I 
viewed this scene from various points, and also 
through a camera obscura. It is indeed a 



145 



splendid sight. The stream here is about one 
hundred yards wide, and falls, not perpendi- 
cularly, but by an inchnation of fifty or fifty- 
five degrees. In the middle of the stream 
stand two separate rocks, which, by the furi- 
ous and perpetual rushing of the water and ice 
in winter are apparently half severed at their 
base. 

On the left of this a castle stands on the top 
of a high rock, and foot-paths are laid out up 
the side of the mountain, made of wooden steps 
and hand-rails. Several young ladies may al- 
ways be found about here whose business it is 
to show strangers the peculiarities of the place. 
They of course expect something handsome if 
they go through the whole of the scenery. 
While rambling abroad this day I had a beau- 
tiful view of the Alps covered with snow. 
The appearance was magnificently grand. The 
atmosphere was very clear, so that, with my 
glass, though fifty miles off, I could see them 
distinctly. From the falls we passed through 
beautiful vineyards to the town, a distance of 
five or six miles. 

Sunday, 20th. At seven a. m. Mr. Van 
Mondach came to take me to Hemmethal, a 
village situated a short distance from hence. 



I4G 



I went and preached to an attentive congrega- 
tion, from Acts iii. 19, 20, and again from 
Psalm cxxvi. 3. After sermon \vc were con- 
ducted by the schoolmaster to the summit of a 
mountain, which, having reached, we walked 
two miles and then came to the road where our 
carriage was waiting for us. On the top of 
this hill we had a view of the Alps, and also 
Lake Constance, called the Bodensee. Not 
having my glass I did not see these parts dis- 
tinctly. I preached once or twice more in 
Schaffhausen, and then departed for Zuerck. 
The friends V\'ere' exceedingly kind to me, and 
in addition to pajdng my expenses, and more, 
gave me letters of introduction. On my way 
to Zuerck I passed over the Rhine on a high 
bridge. The stream here reminds me forcibly 
of the Kentuck}'- river. All along the road 
are vineyards crowded with immense clusters 
of grapes. They are just beginning to ripen. 
The people seemed busy digging their potatoes. 
The crops were good. On 1113^ arrival at Zu- 
erck I made my wa}' to Mr. Ustini's, a silk 
weaver. He received me very kindly, and in 
the afternoon we walked out to view the town. 
The sceneiy here is delightful. 

Thursday, 24th. This morning visited the 



147 



Rev. Mr. Gessner, son-in-law to Lavater, the 
celebrated physiognomist. Lavater's daughter, 
to whom I was here introduced, is a very intel- 
ligent and pious lady, and conversed freely 
about her father. 

Having learnt, since I came to this place, 
that a person of my name resides some ten or 
twelve miles up the lake, I set off in a hack in 
search of him. I found him. His name is 
Henr}' Hiestand, and is undoubtedly a branch 
of our famil}-, but we could not trace our line- 
age or genealogy, and indeed that would be 
difficult in the absence of documentary evi- 
dence, as my ancestors have been from this 
countrj'- one hundred and thirty years. Next 
day I departed and went to the shore of the 
lalie, took a small boat, and meeting the steam- 
boat, took my passage for Zuerck. Down this 
lake are the most romantic landscapes I ever 
beheld— mountains reaching, as it were, to the 
clouds, capped with snow — lesser mountains 
from the shore of the lake, gradually sloping, 
covered with villages — orchards and vineyards, 
richly loaded with the bountiful gifts of our hea- 
venly father. Reached Zuerck at three p. m., 
and took a view of the church in which the 
celebrated Lavater used to preach, and also 



148 



visited the spot where his remains are depo- 
sited. This is pointed out to the stranger by 
a plain stone, on which is engraved J. C. La- 
vater. 

On Saturday, 26th, took stage for Basle, in 
company with the wife and daughter of my 
host — we had a pleasant day's journey down 
the Limat and Rhine, and arrived at our des- 
tination at eight p. m. The missionary stu- 
dents were waiting for us at the post-office. 
Our baggage was taken to the mission-house, 
where rooms were prepared for us. On the 
next day I heard several very excellent ser- 
mons, and met with some pious evangelical 
clergemen. One of these had been driven 
from his church and congregation for no less -a 
crime than preaching the gospel in its purity, 
which, in some parts of Europe, is still consi- 
dered an unpardonable sin; while, in these 
same places, rationalism, deism, and I may say 
devilism, are tolerated and practised with im- 
punity. 

The minster church of this place is said to 
have been built about 1,000 years ago. The 
pulpit is of carved stone, a very ingenious piece 
of work, such as I had not seen before. In 
this church he the remains of the celebrated 



149 



Erasmus, and a monument to his memory is 
erected over his grave. I ascended the steeple, 
which is several hundred feet high, built also 
of stone, and from hence viewed the town and 
country round about. The landscapes are beau- 
tiful. After this I went to a place where are 
a. great quantity of old paintings and other cu- 
riosities ; these I examined with a great deal of 
pleasure. 

Friday, October 2d, 1835. This morning I 
visited the secretary of the mission-house, and 
spent an hour with him in interesting conver- 
sation. I was pleased with his statement of a 
plan to benefit the catholic countries, which is 
to instruct mechanics in the principles and 
doctrines of the gospel, and then, as mechanics, 
to send them into catholic countries, with their 
bibles and implements of trade, and then and 
there they read the Scriptures to those who 
otherwise would not hear it at all. I under- 
stand a religious society has been formed in the 
capital of Austria, through this agency, and 
the means of mechanic scripture readers. May 
the good Lord prosper the enterprise. After 
rambling about this afternoon for about six 
miles, I returned to Basle, and spent the next 



150 



day, for the most part, at home, it being .very 
rainy and unpleasant weather. 

Sunday, 4th. I preached twice this day. 
The first time I was greatly embarrassed 
owing to my being compelled to abide by and 
perform the ceremonies of the church in this 
country. Contrary to m}'' wish I w^as obliged 
to put on a kind of robe, and in that read 
prayers. Reading prayers is very mortif^^ing 
to me on many accounts. Those who can do 
it may, but I cannot do it conscientiously. 
Being thus cramped, I did not feel well while 
preaching, but the Lord made all up to me in 
the evening at five, w^hen I again preached 
without a robe, and prayed without a form. I 
had liberty of speech, and the people listened 
with deep and profound attention. The Lord 
doeth all things well ! 

Tuesday, 6th. At five a. m. took the stage 
for Carlesruh, in Baden. The sceneiy along 
this road is truly splendid. The grape-vines, 
hung with grapes nearly ready for gathering, 
look beautiful. The grounds on our left are 
low and cultivated for the growth of turnips 
and potatoes, which the people are digging on 
nearly every patch. The steep hills sides on 



151 



our right are formed into terraces, and, where 
they are not covered with grape-vines, look 
like flights of steps, by means of which the hills 
are ascended. Thus we passed along, and 
each hour brought us to new scenes of beauty 
and richness, till night threw her sable mantle 
around us, and prevented us from admiring the 
works of nature, and adoring the hand that 
made all these things. 

Wednesday, 7th. We arrived at Carlesruh 
at four A. M., and, after taking some bread and 
coffee, I walked the streets to warm myself, as 
fires are scarce and fuel expensive. The Rev. 
Mr. Frommel resides here, a gentleman I had 
seen at Stuttgard, and who had requested me to 
call and see him, should I ever pass through 
this place. I called upon him early in the 
morning, and he was exceedingly pleased to 
see me. I spent the day with him, and visited 
some of the religious people of this place. At- 
tended a prayer-meeting in the evening, there 
were eight persons present — these requested 
me to stay and preach to-morrow. 

Thursda}^, Sth. Though unwell I preached 
this morning, and depended alone on God for 
aid. I found him a very present help in trou- 
ble — he graciously assisted me — the people 



152 



were attentive and serious, and we had a 
powerful time — a refreshing from the presence 
of the Lord. Just after preaching a messenger 
came with a request from Lady Margraves, 
that I would go and see her. I did so imme- 
diately, and found her an amiable and pious 
lady, who.delighted to talk about Jesus, whom 
she loves more than all her titles. I had been 
with her a short time when the grand Duchess 
came in, so I left her, perhaps, to see her no 
more till that period when titles shall be of no 
avail. In the evening brother Frommel, another 
friend, and myself, took a hack and went to 
Spoeck, and, at the urgent solicitation of the 
pastor, I consented to stay all night, and preach 
here in the morning. 

Friday, 9th. Addressed a large congrega- 
tion from Proverbs viii. 17. The presence of 
the Lord was felt by all, and many wept aloud. 
Several of the 3'oung ladies went to the mi- 
nister's house in great spiritual distress. One 
of them, a daughter of one of the most respect- 
able and influential men in the dukedom, wept 
so loud that she could be heard all through the 
house. The time of my departure having 
come, I left the place, and passed on to a vil- 
lage called Grabem. The brethren from 



153 



Caiiesruh accompanied me thus far, and wp 
dined together at a clergeman's, who, after 
dinner sent his carriage with me as far as the 
Rhine, fifteen or eighteen miles, and within 
two miles of Spy re, where I arrived at dark, 
and found a home with Mr. P. Hahn. 

On Sunday, 11th, went to church and heard 
the vicar preach. He did not manifest much 
of either eloquence or zeal. At two p. m. I had 
to occupy the same pulpit, and at the time ap- 
pointed found twelve or fifteen hundred people 
in the place. Among them was the principal 
pastor of the town, who was very much dissa- 
tisfied because the vicar had not asked his 
leave before granting me permission to preach. 
I thought they might settle that between them- 
selves, so I went on with my work. The con- 
gregation, however, were the most careless and 
inattentive I ever addressed. They showed 
by their conduct that they cared nothing about 
religion, or even common decencj'-, many of 
them laughing all the time. May the Lord 
have mercy on the inhabitants of Spyre ! 

Early the next morning I left Spyre, and at 
10 A. M. reached Manheim ; was kindly re- 
ceived by Mr. Hennesdorf, who introduced me 
to the Rev. Mr. Massingbird, a pious clergyman 



154 



of the Episcopal church. In his drawing-room 
1 preached a sermon to a small congregation, 
mostly converted Catholics. I remained in this 
place a day longer than I had anticipated, the 
steam-boat not leaving here until Wednesda}'^, 
14th, at one p. m. I visited several families 
through the day, (Tuesda}') and in the evening 
held a meeting with a fev/ friends. There w^as 
but few in consequence of the inclemency of 
the weather. Leaving Manheim at the time 
appointed we passed down the Rhine to 
Mayentz, where we remained during the night. 
We had to go ashore, as these steam-boats 
have no accommodation for sleeping. At day- 
break on Thursday, 15th, we proceeded on our 
way. The far-famed sceneries of this part of 
the world I beheld with admiration ; and yet 
there are many as grand in the United States. 
We have no ancient castles in ruins, nor have 
we so many mountains and vineyards, but we 
have other things equally gratifying and pleaS" 
ing. The most remarkable object pointed out 
to me on this passage was what is called Meis 
Tunn. (Mouse Tower.) It is built on a small 
island, composed of rock. The edifice is a 
round tower of stone, twenty-five or thirty feet 
high, and ten or twelve feet in circumference, 



155 

so it appears to me. This ancient pile is said 
to have been built by a bishop, who had laid 
up large quantities of grain, and a famine 
coming on, the poor people came to him for 
bread. He appointed a day when they were 
all to come. They did so, and he locked them 
in the granary and set fire to it, and they were 
all burnt to death. "While the sufferers were 
crying for mercy, he would say, " hark, how 
my corn mice squeak." After this his own 
palace became so infested with mice, which 
troubled him day and night, that he could not 
rest. He therefore built his tower in the 
stream to escape from the rage of the mice. But 
even here they pursued him, and so numerous 
were they that he was overcome and eaten up 
by them. The tower I saw — the statements 
may be part fact and part fable- — I give the 
particulars as they were related to me. 

Friday, 16. Early in the morning I took 
the stage for Elberfield, and remained, while 
there, at the house of a merchant, with whom 
I became acquainted at Nuernberg. The next 
day took passage for Bremen, where I arrived 
on Monda}'-, 19th. This is my birth-day, and 
I enter on my forty-eighth year. I have been 
preserved, by the grace of God, in his pleasant 



156 

ways, twenty-seven years and seven months. I 
have endeavoured to sei-ve him, and I find his 
yoke easy and his burden Hght. His kind pro- 
vidence has sustained me hitherto, and I feel 
perfectly willing to trust him for the future. 
May he ever preserve me. 

As soon as I arrived at Bremen I found that 
a vessel was to sail for New-Orleans on the 
22d inst. Having some httle business at Ham- 
burg, I immediately started for that place, and 
arrived there on Tuesday, 20th, at eleven a. m. 
I found my friends all well, but my effects had 
not arrived from Berlin, and my bed was taken 
to sea in the vessel by which I came to this 
countty. I had therefore to make the best of 
my little misfortunes, and returned directly to 
Bremen. I got safe here on Thursday, 22d, 
and immediately secured my passage to New- 
Orleans in the brig Wesser. I had to pay 
seventy-five Bremen dollars. It v/ould be un- 
grateful in me were I not to mention here that 
my ever dear friend, Captain Wendt, presented 
me with thirty-eight dollars to assist in defray- 
ing my homeward expenses. Ma}^ that God, 
who is ever kind, remember him for good, and 
repay him a thousand fold for ail the kindness 
he has shown toward me in aland of strangers. 



157 

Though I was ready ^to go at a moment's warn- 
ing, we were detained several days for various 
reasons. 

On Sunday, 25th, heard two sermons 
preached, and in the evening addressed a so- 
ciety of young men, who meet every Lord's day 
evening for prayer, under the direction of the 
Rev. Mr. Mallet. We had a very interesting 
time, while I enforced the necessity of seeking 
the Lord early. Mr. Mallet, who concluded 
by prayer, is one of the decided friends of true 
religion. He is a light in a dark place. 

Monday, 26th. At daylight took steamboat 
and went down the river Wesser, to the vessel 
in which I was to sail. Found several of the 
passengers on board. The whole week ending 
on Saturday, 21st, was a tedious time. The 
moments seemed to linger, and days and nights 
delayed their flight. There were a young cler- 
gyman and his lady on board, but they seemed 
little inclined for religious conversation, and 
though there were one hundred and eighteen 
steerage passengers, only one appeared to be 
inclined for religious conversation. On Sunday 
the 1st of November, the captain and I walked 
to a village church about two miles distant, and 
heard a good sermon preached on the ninth. 
8 



158 

commandment. On Monday all our chains 
were taken in, and preparations made for sea ; 
but the breeze was light and changeable, and I 
fear we shall have a tedious time in the North 
Sea. But my trust is in the Lord, and I feel 
calmly reconciled to his will. That God who 
ruleth the winds and the waves will preserve 
me from danger and death, for I feel as though 
my work was not yet finished. To-day the 
clergj^man spoken of above got out his fiddle, 
and I fear he has more taste for fiddling than 
preaching. 

Tuesday, 3d. Weighed anchor and put to 
sea with an easterly wind. The pilot left us, 
the sea soon became rough, and I quickly felt 
the efiects of sea-sickness. On Thursday, 5th, 
at night, one of our passengers died. He came 
on boards nearly dead with consumption. The 
next day he was buried in the " deep, deep 
sea," and, at the request of the captain, I de- 
livered a short funeral oration. 

Tuesday, December 3d. We have now been 
a month on our voyage, and nothing particular 
has occurred since the above circumstance. 
When the weather would permit we had 
prayers on board, and sometimes singing. The 
young clergyman would amuse himself by 



159 



fiddling, and I would read my Bible ; thus the 
time passed away. On Sunday, 13th, the mate 
saw the land of St. Domingo, and we sailed 
along shore several miles. It was a very plea- 
sant day, and at ten a. m. all the passengers 
came on deck for worship, we sang a hymn, 
and read the ciii. psalm. I addressed them 
half an hour on the goodness of God in pre- 
serving us, and for all his mercies. I exhorted 
them to love him in return. Many felt their 
awful responsibilities before God, and wept 
bitterly. May the Lord bless them all with 
salvation from sin. 

On Tuesday, 15tl), vro passed between 
St. Domingo and Cuba. On Wednesday we 
passed the south side of Cuba, and beheld her 
mountains towering to the skies. The follov/ing 
Sunda}'' evening we passed Cape Antonia, or 
west end of C uba, and, the weather being plea- 
sant, we had our worship as usual. Our young 
clergyman spolie more to the purpose than I 
had heard liim before. Nothing particular oc- 
curred for four or five days after. 

On Friday, December 25th, (Christmas day) 
we had the pleasure of seeing the light at the 
south-west pass, mouth of the Mississippi. At 
eight A. M. we got a pilot, and, through mist 



160 

and fog, we got to the bar, when, to our great 
joy, the steamboat, FeHciana, came up, and 
took us to Port Jackson, where, in consequence 
of the dense fog, we were obliged to cast an- 
chor. The fog continued until Saturday, when 
the Germans, as they could not keep Christmas 
yesterday, requested me to sing a hymn, and 
give them an address. I did so, and briefly 
stated the goodness of God in the redemption of 
mankind, several were much affected and 
wept. The fog dissipated in twenty or twenty- 
five minutes — we immediately got under way, 
and passed on all night without any further in- 
terruption by fog. 

On Sunda}^ 27th, by day-light, we found 
ourselves at the English Turn, eighteen miles 
below the city of New-Orleans, where we ar- 
rived about ten in the morning. As soon as 
the brig was made fast, and I could conveni- 
ently get ashore, I did so, anxious to relieve 
my doubts and fears and hopes, respecting my 
family. Before I reached home I met several 
friends, who told me they were all well. At 
twelve o'clock I had the heart-cheering satis- 
faction of finding them all in good health, after 
a separation of eleven months. To use a com- 
mon expression, the joy of meeting, after so 



161 



long an absence, is better felt tlian expressed. 
Blessed be the kind hand of my heavenly Fa- 
ther, which has kindly preserved both me and 
them. The precious promises of his word has 
been fulfilled in me ; and, after all his mercies 
shown me in a foreign land, and on my voyages, 
he has kindly brought me to the enjoyment ol 
my family and friends in my native land. 
Blessed be his holy name for ever ! Amen ! 



162 



CONCLUSION. 



Considerable time has elapsed since the 
manuscripts from ^vhicll the foregoing pages 
have been compiled, were placed in the hands 
of their editor ; but his necessarily unremitted 
ministerial and other duties have prevented 
him from preparing the work for the press 
sooner than the present time. 

When the subject of the foregoing autobio- 
graphy was in New- York, the editor requested 
him to add a few pages respecting his travels 
and labours in the United States since his re- 
turn from Europe. This was done ; but it is 
not deemed necessary to say more than simply 
to state, that in all his visits and travels, from 
place to place, he has endeavoured to spread 
the influence of the Saviour's name, and set 
forth his unsearchable riches. The Rev. Heniy 
Hiestand preaches wherever an opportunity 
occurs to our German population, and in tliis 
way has been extensively useful ; and it is 
hoped that the circulation of this volume will 
be the means of introducing him to more general 



J 63 

notice. It may be proper to state, that since 
Mr. Hiestand's return from Germany, he visited 
Henia, where, and when, the synod of the 
German reformed synod were in session. The 
synod were presented with testimonials of his 
zeal and usefulness in Grermany and elsewhere ; 
were highly gratified, and in the belief that 
there was an extensive field of labour open to 
him there, thought it would be advantageous 
to the cause of religion if he (Rev. Henry Hies- 
tand) would return to that country, and labour 
there in the vineyard of Christ. To this end 
he received a general letter .of introduction to 
all the churches in Germanj-. 

Copies of the testimonials referred to above 
were placed in the hands of the editor, but he 
does not think it necessary to insert them. 
They are signed by the pastors of various con- 
gregations in Germany, and elsewhere. They 
jointly, and severally, prove, that hundreds, in 
and out of the pale of the church, will have rea- 
son to thank God for ever, for the labours and 
prayers of brother Hiestand. Eight of these 
are now before me, and give evidence that the 
plain simple preaching of the cross, is appre- 
ciated and made useful in a land of cere mo- 



164 

nies, and that, sooner or later, superstition must 
be superseded by experimental religion. 

While writing these last pages, the editor has 
received a letter from Rev. Henry Hiestand, 
dated New-Orleans, January 26th, in which he 
thus speaks : " When I arrived here, I found 
a commission from the missionary society in 
Berlin, and a circular letter to all the friends of 
the missionary cause in the United States, re- 
questing them to aid in building a mission- 
house in Berlin, for the express purpose of edu- 
cating young men for the ministiy in heathen 
lands. They have often heard of the liberality 
of Americans, and hope for some assistance 
from this country, to enable them to carry 
through this noble and Christian-like under- 
taking." Mr. Hiestand adds, " I feel myself 
in Christian duty bound to do for them all I 
can in this country." This statement is here 
inserted, that those who see this work may be 
induced to reflect on the situation of those who 
inow not God, but worship idols of wood , and 
stone, and then, if they can, aid in a good 
cause. 

It is hoped that a perusal of the foregoing 
pages will lead the churches in America not 
only to reflect on their privileges and advan- 



165 

tages, but to commiserate the condition of those 
who are enveloped in worse than Egyptian 
darkness, and may we unitedly pray for the 
diffusion of gospel light. 

The editor of this little work is desirous of 
awakening attention to the condition, not only 
of some parts of Europe, but of the heathen ge- 
nerally, as also to produce a determination 
among those who love the gospel, to diffuse its 
general blessings to the ends of the earth. His 
own spare moments are so extremely limited, 
as to prevent his saying as much on the subject 
here as he could have wished. Nevertheless he 
will not let the opportunity slip of adding some- 
thing to these pages, on the moral condition of 
the world, and the means of its recovery from 
sin and death to holiness and life. The dis- 
course was preached by a celebrated minister 
of the gospel in England. He was of the Me- 
thodist persuasion, but his remarks are not the 
less valuable on that account. The sermon 
being entirely distinct from the work, is thrown 
into the form of an appendix. It is published 
here in the belief, that it may be of essential 
use to every sincere Christian. It may be 
proper to add that the discourse was deliv^edi 
on a. missionary, occasion. 
8* 



APPENDIX. 



THE MEANS OF MAN'S RECOVERY FROM SPIRITUAL DEATH. 

A SERxMON, 

BY REV. RICHARD WAT.SON. 

Come from the four winds, O Breath ! and breathe upon these 
slain that they may live. — Ezekiel xxxvii. 9. 

History acquaints us with the past, and our 
faculties of observation spread before us the 
scenes of present time, and these, in the usual 
course of things, are the only sources of infor- 
mation which are open to man. But it has 
pleased God, in this book of revelation, to give 
us access to a third, and to spread the view 
into the future : not only to enlarge the sphere 
of knowledge behind us and on each side ; but 
before us, and " to show his servants what 
shall be hereafter." 

This is done by prophecy, a large and im- 
portant part of the sacred volume, which stands, 
not only as an illustrious demonstration of the 
prescience of its author, but a proof of his good- 



167 

ness to us ; for our improvement and happiness 
are thereby equall}'- promoted. An ancient 
writer remarks, that he who is acquainted with 
the history of past ages, lives twice. With 
equal truth may it be affirmed, that he whose 
mind is also enlightened with the views of holy 
writ, lives thrice. His existence is extended 
beyond its natural bounds, and he is present to 
future events, the highest and most interesting 
in the economy of divine providence. 

We are not, however, to suppose that our 
view of the future, even after the most attentive 
study of the prophetical books, will be per- 
fectly distinct and satisfactory. There is a 
moral necessit}' that prophecy should be sur- 
rounded with a certain haze and indistinctness. 
Man is to be the instrument of executing the 
decrees of Heaven ; and it is a principle of the 
divine government to offer no violence to his 
moral agency, and a peculiar glory of infinite 
wisdom to accomplish its purposes by his free 
volitions. It seems, therefore, to be a mistake 
in many persons to expect to ascertain the exact 
times and manner in which the predictions of 
Heaven will be accomplished. Time is the 
grand expounder of prophecy, and, as far as 
relates to particulars, perhaps time alone. The 



168 



value of prophecy is not, however, on this 
account diminished. In this partial form it 
fully answers the design of God, by supporting 
the confidence of good men in the ultimate 
triumphs of their religion, in quickening their 
exertions, and relieving their anxieties. The 
outhne, the bolder features of the grand plan of 
the divine government present so many en- 
lightened points in the darkness of futurity, 
though the minuter parts retire into shades of 
various depth. In the vista thus opened into 
distant ages we perceive truth and righteous^ 
ness, after long and painful struggles, finally 
triumphing ; discord subsiding into peace, 'and 
a long-rejected Saviour effectually asserting his 
rights, and bending the world to his dominion 
in mercy. 

The words of the text are connected with a 
well known prophec}^ respecting the restoration 
of Israel under the sublime idea of the resur- 
rection of the dry bones of a host of dead. If 
the prediction referred at all to the restoration 
of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity, it 
could only be in a very low sense. The terms 
in which it is expressed plainly indicate an 
event more glorious in its accomplishment, 
more peccmanent. in its effects^ and more spi- 



169 



ritual in its nature. It connects itself with the 
glory of the latter day. The Jews are now the 
dry bones in the valley, and their conversion to 
Christ will be their resurrection. On this 
principal, application of the prophecy we shall 
not now dwell. Apostacy from God, whether 
in Jew or Gentile, is followed substantially by 
the same consequences ; the methods of divine 
grace in recovering men from ruin, are, in all 
climes and ages, usually the same, and we shall 
therefore consider the prophecy. 

I. As affording us a striking description of 
the religious state of the heathen world. 

II. As directing to the means to be made 
use of to effect its mystical resurrection. 

III. As marking the certain success of its 
application. 

I. — 1. The persons made the subject of 
this prophetic vision are represented as dead. 
The prophet is led by the spirit to a valley 
filled with the dishonoured relics of the dead. 
To be dead, is to be in a state which excites 
regret and sympathy. Who can refrain a sigh 
when the noble human fabric is stretched with 
the clods of the valley, and the warm pulse of 
life subsides into the coldness and corruption of 
death? But a deeper death is here contemp- 



170 



lated — the death of souls. The spirit is here 
invaded by the destroyer, and the higher part 
of our nature falls the victim. In this, however, 
we speak morally. The immortal spirit can- 
not die ; but, as in the death of the body, the 
matter of which it is composed is not annihi- 
lated, though the parts are dissolved, so in the 
moral death of souls the spirit exists, but it 
exists disorganized and corrupted. In scrip- 
ture language, to be without knowledge, is to 
be dead ; because it is knowledge which gives 
activit}'' to the powers of mind. To lose the 
image of God is to die ; because as death de- 
stroys the human form, sin destro^'^s truth, ho- 
liness, and love, in which the image of God in 
man consists. This is the unhappy case of the 
heathen. They have turned the " truth of God 
into a lie ;" their religious opinions are com- 
posed of absurd fables, and the principles of 
morality being left without support, have been 
all borne down by the tide of sensual appetite 
and ungoverned passion . Ignorance the most 
profound, imaginations the most extravagant, 
and crimes the most daring, have ever charac- 
terized "the world which lies in the power of 
the wicked one." But though all this be awfully 
true, it is not on these circumstances that we 



171 



would principally fix your attention. There is 
another and more alarming truth to be told. 
The heathen world is judicially dead, under 
the wrath and curse of Almighty God. The 
law which they have violated turns the edge of 
justice against them ; the conscience which 
they have abused renders them miserable in 
their crimes ; and, as death expels their my- 
riads from this state of being, they appear be- 
fore that God of judgment who hath said, "the 
abominable, and murderers, and idolaters, shall 
have their part in the burning lake, which is 
the second death." 

Were these solemn truths well fixed in our 
minds, they would stand in the place of a vo- 
lume of argument to induce us to support mis- 
sionary institutions. They would burst at 
once the bands of selfishness, and " draw out 
our souls" to them who are perishing for lack 
of knowledge. The contemplation of the im- 
minent danger of so great a portion of our fel- 
low men would melt at once the frigidness of 
our natures, and cause our affections to flow 
forth in strong prayers, and still stronger exer- 
tions in behalf of our brethren in distant lands, 
who have " forgotten the God of their salvation, 



172 



and have not been mindful of the rock of their 
strength." 

To counteract these generous feelings, and 
to stop the stream of pity in its very fountain, 
we are aware that the doctrine of the safety of 
the heathen has been confidently affirmed ; and 
perhaps we also have too often slumbered over 
our duty, lulled by the drone of that doting and 
toothless theology which treats sin with the 
cruel tenderness of an Eli to his sons, and em- 
ploys itself rather in drawing extravagant pic- 
tures of the mercy of God, than in supporting 
the just rights of his government. Resting in 
plausible general principles, which are never 
pursued to their consequences, there are many 
who appear to consider the Divine Being under 
some obligation of justice to throw open the 
gates of salvation to the whole world of polr 
luted heathen ; thus making vice a kind of 
passport to Heaven, and ignorance a better se- 
curity for the eternal happiness of men than 
the full display of the glorious doctrines and 
the impressive motives of our religion. The 
tree question is among such persons often mis^ 
taken. It is not whether it is possible for: 
k^tthens to he; saved^— that we grant ,• but that 



173 

circumstance proves the actual state of the 
heathen world to be more dangerous than if no 
such possibility could be proved ; for the pos- 
sibility of their salvation indisputably shows 
them to be the subjects of moral government, and 
therefore liable to an aggravated punishment 
in case of disobedience. The true question is, 
are the heathens, immoral and idolatrous as 
they are, actually safe ? On this solemn sub- 
ject we are not left to the decisions of human 
authority. Inspiration itself has decided it, 
and when human opinions and divine revelation 
come into opposition, you will not hesitate to 
say, " Let God be true and every man a liar." 
The reasoning of St. Paul, in the first chapter 
of the epistle to the Romans, is of universal 
application ; it bears no mark of particularity, 
and there is nothing in the state of the heathen 
of our day to render it less applicable to them 
than to the heathen of his own. His conclu- 
sion is, that for all their crimes and idolatries 
" they are without excuse." They are igno- 
rant, but it is because they " do not like to re- 
tain God in their knowledge." They have a 
" law written on their hearts," but they violate 
it, — they have a conscience which " accuses or 
excuses them," but they disregard it, and 



174 



^^ therefore they are without excuse." This is 
the conclusion of an infalhble teacher, against 
which it is vain to reason ; and from this it fol- 
lows, that, if the fact of general and perhaps 
universal depravity of principle and action 
among the heathens be proved, then another 
conclusion of the Apostle must follow^ of course, 
" that the wrath of God is revealed from Hea- 
ven" against them ; that the valley is full of 
souls, dead to God, and under the sentence of 
an everlasting condemnation. 

2. But this is not the only melancholy view 
which the subject exhibits. The number of the 
dead forms another part of the picture — " the 
valley was full of bones." The Prophet 
" passed by, round about," he viewed the 
dreary scene with attention, and " behold there 
were very many." Such, brethren, is the pic- 
ture which the world presents to our view. 
The slain of sin are innumerable. The valley 
as w^e trace it seems to sweep to an unlimited 
extent, and yet every where it is full ! The 
whole earth is that valley. Where is the 
country where trangression stalks not with dar- 
ing and destructive activity ? where it has not 
covered and polluted the soil with its victims ? 
In some places, it is true, we behold " the few 



175 



who are saved ;" but in many large and 
crowded nations, we should look even for that 
few in vain ; and the words of the Psalmist 
might, after the most charitable investigation, 
prove even literally applicable, " They are aU 
gone out of the way, there is none that doeth 
good, no not one." Let us pass over Europe, 
whose population bears but a small proportion 
to that of the globe^ though there chiefly the 
christian name is known. Let us not even stop 
to inquire how many bones lie unburied and 
dry in that valley, or, if in manj^ instances 
bone has been united to bone, in the profession 
of true religion, ©f how many the prophet would 
still say, " there is no breath" of vital religion 
" in them." Let us take our post of observa- 
tion elsewhere. If we turn to the east, there 
the peopled valleys of Asia stretch before us ; 
but peopled with whom ? With the dead ! 
That quarter of the earth alone presents five hun- 
dred millions of souls, with but few exceptions, 
without a God, save gods that sanction vice ; 
without a sacrifice, save sacrifices of folly and 
blood ; without a priest, except arace ofjugglers, 
imposters, and murderers ; without holy days, 
except such as debase by their levity, corrupt 
by their sensuality, or harden by their cruelty. 



176 

With a little difference as to religious rites the 
same description is applicable to the thirty mil- 
lions of the race of Ham, and to the aborigines 
of the continent and islands of the new world. 
This view, it is true, is somewhat relieved by 
a few rays of light shining here and there amid 
the gloom ; by the clieering sight of a few pro- 
phets of the Lord sent forth by the piety of 
Christians, prophesying to the dry bones, and 
surrounded by a few living men, the fruits of 
their mission. But however hopeful this gleam 
of success is» the affecting fact is, the valley is 
still full of dead. It is only in a few places on 
its verge that the prophets of the Lord are seen j 
only within a small compass that their voice is 
heard. On the rest of the valley the gloom of 
despair settles, and sin and death hold undis- 
turbed dominion. No sound of salvation breaks 
the horrid silence, and no " shaking is heard 
among the bones." 

3. To the number of the dead the prophet 
adds another circumstance — ^they were unbu- 
ried : the destructive effects of sin, the sad ra- 
vages of death, lay exposed and open to the 
sun. So open and exposed have been the xm- 
belief and blasphemies of the Jews, and the 
idolatry and vices of the Gentiles. We need 



177 



not dig up the earth to discover the dead, they 
strew the surface of the ground. This repre- 
sentation strongly marks the dreadful maturity 
of sin among apostate nations, and the absence 
of all those checks which in countries better in- 
structed restrain those evils which are not 
wholly cured. A- great moralist has truly ob- 
served, that " where there is shame there may 
be virtue." What, then, shall we say where 
there is no shame ^ The habits of sin are con- 
firmed, and all virtue is extinct. The pagan 
world did not, however, arrive at this maturity 
of vice all at once. Its idolatrous and vicious 
propensities had to contend with the restraints 
of remaining truth and goodness probably for 
many ages. Thus we read in the book of Job, . 
that, notwithstanding the tendency to poly- 
theism in his day, some upright magistrate re- 
mained, who punished idolatry by law, justly 
considering it as a crime against civil society, 
involving, as it ever has done, the practice of 
the worst vices, as well as against heaven. 
" If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the 
moon walking in brightness, and my heart 
hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath 
kissed my hand, this were an iniquity to be 
punished by the judge, for I should have de- 



178 

nied the God that is above." The influence of 
truth, even without the aid of the civil magis- 
trate, and though existing in but small remains, 
to check this degrading and offensive propen- 
sity, is also strikingly expressed in a part of the 
book from which our text is taken. Ezekiel 
was conducted by vision into a " secret cham- 
ber," where " the ancients of the house of 
Israel" stood " in the dark" before their idols 
and abominable portraitures, and burned in- 
cense to them. The blush of shame still red- 
dened on their cheek, and they performed their 
abominations in the dark. Vice shrinks in the 
presence of purity ; the works of darkness hate 
the light ; and this affords a powerful motive to 
our endeavours to introduce the gospel into 
idolatrous countries. Reproof will again excite 
shame, shame will lead to secrecy, and secrecy 
of practice will ultimately give place to refor- 
mation. At present, however, such restraints 
do not exist. They have long since been borne 
down ; and, error and vice, long triumphant, 
have grown too bold for privacy. Yes ! for 
ages the dead have lain unburied, presenting 
nothing but stench and corruption to the pure 
heavens above them. They have " worshipped 
devils," and hallowed crimes, and have not 



179 

been ashamed. In one place a painted idol 
usurps the honours of" God, blessed for ever," 
and in another the obscene prophet is revered 
as a divine messenger. Eveiy where they have 
refused " to retain God in their knowledge," 
they have been " given up to vile affections," 
and have reached that climax of all iniquity, 
not only to do " such things" themselves, but 
to " take pleasure in them that do them." 

4. The prophet closes his description of the 
state of the dead, by adding that " the bones 
were very dry." Under this strong figure the 
hopelessness of their condition is represented. 
Thus the Jews introduced in verse 11, are made 
to say, " Our bones are dried up, our hope is 
lost," and the state of the heathen must, at 
least, be equally hopeless. As far as mere 
human means and human probabilities go, 
there is no hope. From themselves it is certain 
there is none. They have wandered too far to 
find the fold again, and what renders their 
cause still more desperate is, they have no in- 
clination to seek it. It is the nature of sin to 
infatuate as well as to corrupt, and to pervert 
that it may destroy. " They put darkness for 
light, light for darkness, good for evil, and evil 
for good," and " how, then, shall they be heal- 



180 



ed?" If, however, absolutely speaking, there 
were no hope of their recovery, our exertions 
would be superfluous,. There is hope, not 
from man, but from God ; nevertheless we feel 
no inclination to conceal the difficulties which 
lie in the way of that great work which we are 
met this day to promote. The " bones are dry, 
very dry." Superstition is a power of almost 
incalculable energy. It grasps both the hopes 
and fears of our nature ; and has its principal 
seat in the imagination, a power of the mind the 
most difficult to purge when polluted, and to 
discipline when once it has obtained the mas- 
tery. If, therefore, the gospel again prevail, it 
must, again, " cast down high imaginations," 
and break up inveterate habits of sin. As of 
old, interest, and pleasure, and power, will be 
arrayed against it, and " the kings and judges 
of the earth will take counsel together against 
the Lord and against his anointed." Perhaps 
the first effect of the gospel in some places may 
again be " not to send peace, but a sword ;" 
and of this we are certain, that no power of 
earth or hell will be unemployed against its 
success. All these difficulties must be granted. 
They argue nothing against tlie power of God ; 



.181 

but they truly prove that more than human 
power is requisite for the work ; that all calcu- 
lations founded on natural principles forbid 
our enterprise ; and they support the repre- 
sentation of the prophet — *' that the bones were 
very dry." 

Such is the state of the heathen world ; but 
the prophet's vision. 

II. — Points out the means by which its mys- 
tical resurrection is to be effected — " Prophesy 
•upon these dry bones, and say unto them, O 
ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." 

Who can read this without immediately ad- 
verting to that similar command of tho Saviour, 
when, after his resurrection, he looked with 
rcompassion upon a world, " dead in trespasses 
and sins," and said to the prophets of his own 
dispensation, "Go into all the world, and preach 
the gospel to every creature." " Go, traverse 
every part of the vale of death, and say, " O 
ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." 

1. This direction intimates, that the ministry 
of the word is the grand means appointed by- 
God for the salvation of the world. 

This is a truth which cannot be impressed 
too deeply upon our minds. We live in an 
age of bold speculation and the speculations 
9 



182 



of many on this subject have been conducted 
with too little regard for the authority of God. 
If, however, we have a plain and full direction 
from him who is wisdom itself, what need we 
more ? Why stop to question, when it is our 
duty to obey ? But opinions have conflicted on 
a subject to which revelation has given cer- 
tainty, and the recorded judgment of heaven 
has been neglected in the passion for theory 
amongst men. Some have demurred to mis- 
sionary efforts because in their opinion heathen 
nations ought first to be civilized. But where 
are the apostles of civilization to be found ? 
Who. will cross seas, and travel continents, to 
teach them arts, and laws, and science ? Or 
are they to be left in their wretchedness till 
the boundaries of the civilized world, pushed 
out by the slow process of commerce or con- 
quest, shall at length reach them .' But the ar- 
gument, if good for any thing, is only very par- 
tially applicable ; for there are but few, very 
few, perhaps none, of the heathen so completely 
savage as not to be able to comprehend tho 
main doctrines and duties of Christianity, when 
once their language is understood by their 
teachers. When Christianity is introduced 
civilization follows of course, and the desired 



183 

end is reached hy the direct instead of the cir- 
cuitous road. Religion is the most efficient in- 
strument of civihzation. It is that which marks 
the distinctions between right and wrong with 
certainty, and therefore gives birth to good 
la"\;^s ; it adds to human hopes and fears the so- 
lemn sanctions of eternit}'-, and by givingTorce 
to conscience ensures their better observance ; 
and it is the parent of moraht}^, industry, and 
pubhc spirit, the foundation and the tof -stone, 
the strength and the sinews of all well ordered 
society. 

Others have looked for the amelioration of 
the human race from the progress of science. 
But they forget that science affords no cure for 
moral evil, and that when unallied with true 
religion it must prove a curse and not a bless- 
ing. Knowledge is power, and like all other 
great powers, it is injurious and destructive 
when undirected. It is only by the influence 
of moral principles that it can receive its proper 
direction. Without this the enlarged capabi- 
lities of the mind become solely the instru- 
ments of ungoverned passions. This is not 
presumption, it is the dictate of experience. 
Greece and Rome gave it their joint testimony. 
*• The world by wisdom knew not God ;" and 



184 



in proportion to the advance of refinement, and 
the cultivation of science, both Greece and 
Rome sunk the deeper into the pollutions of 
superstitions -and vice. 

Another class of speculatists would wait un- 
til wars and revolutions had broken up old 
systems of despotism, and introduced political 
liberty, before any means were taken to spread 
the gospel. Here is another attempt to build 
the pyramid upon its point. In vain do men 
expect liberty without virtue, and where that 
exists, largely diffused through a people, op- 
pression will be no more. It is the religion of 
Christ, which ascertains all the relations of 
man, fixes the duties of all ranks, and enforces 
them by the highest motives, that we are to 
look for the principles of good government, as 
well as of civilization and science. It is "god- 
liness which is profitable for all things, having 
the promise of the life that now is, and of that 
which is to come." 

There are still persons of a different cha- 
racter to those just mentioned, whose princi- 
ples, though not directly opposed to Missionaiy 
efforts, are, in their practical consequences, 
somewhat unfavourable to them. Intent upon 
the study of prophetic times and seasons, they 



J85 



have too much love for the world not to wish 
itsi conversion ; but they have little hope of 
great success in the attempt until their inter- 
pretations of certain pi'ophecies are accom-- 
plished, and this or that antichrist shall have 
been destroyed. To such persons the words of 
Christ are full of instruction. "It is not for. 
you to know the times or the seasons which 
the Father has put in his power." He adds,, 
however, a plain and obvious injunction which 
cannot be mistaken, — " But ye shall be wit- 
nesses unto me to the uttermost part of the 
earth." The only note of time w^hich the obe- 
dient christian will mark with a distinguishing 
character in his calendar, the only one he will 
intensely study, is opportunity. "As ye have 
opportunity to do good unto all men." That 
opportunity is now before you; many "great 
and effectual doors are open," and the com- 
mand is, " Prophesy."" — "Preach my gospel." 
2. — The words may be considered as an in- 
junction on the ministers of the gospel. — " Pro- 
phesy unto these dry bones." But to whom is. 
the message directed? To the missionariesi 
only? Nay; but to all wdio are called "to. 
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable! 
riches of Christ." We are not. sent only toi 



186 



this place, or to that congregation. Our com- 
mission is expressed in larger terms, — *' Go 
into all tihe world." Ever}'- minister is by vir- 
tue of this commission to him, this charter to 
the human race, made a minister of man, — a 
minister of the whole world. Providence may 
mark out for us a particular sphere of labour, 
but our general obligation to the world con- 
tinues ; and were we called upon by certain 
iodications of duty to the " farthest verge of 
tiie green earth," our obligation to go is irrever- 
sible. This was the view which the great 
Apostle took of the obligations of his ministry. 
" I am a debtor both to the Greeks and the 
barbarians, both to the wise and to the un- 
wise." It was thus that our venerable founder 
conceived of the intent of the christian ministry, 
when, in answer to a complaint of the irregu- 
larity of his preaching, he replied, •' I look upon 
the whole world as my parish ;" and it is thus, 
I am persuaded, that my brethren present on 
this occasion conceive of it. We may not, 
however, be called directly to the work of 
evangelizing the heathen ; but by virtue of our 
mission to all the world we are called to further 
it ; and this would be our apology did we need 
one, for calling this assembly together this day, 



I 



187 

to co-operate with us. It is in discharge of a 
solemn duty, and in obedience to our master's 
command to diffuse the knowledge of his truth 
to the " ends of the earth." But, 

3. — The injunction " prophesy," respects not 

-only ministers, but you also who have a private 

.station in the church. 

Ministers and people cannot be separated in 
that which was ever intended to be the result 
of a common eifort. Even the apostle Paul 
though under a more than ordinary direction, 
lead from place to place, by the immediate con- 
duct of the divine hand, working miracles him- 
self, and the subject of frequent miraculous in- 
terpositions, never thought himself independent 
of the aids of the great body of christians. H© 
connected himself with their prayers,— 
" Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the 
Lord may have free course and be glorified." 
" Pray for me, that utterance may be given 
me to make known the mystery of the gospel." 
He not only solicited their prayers, but re- 
ceived their gifts. They, " ministered to his 
necessities" when employed in his work, " pro- 
phesying to the dry bones," and calling the 
dead to life. 

This union between ministers and people in 



188 

the establishment of the kiDgdom of Christ 
arises out of the very constitution of the church. 
In that, as in every other association, there is a 
common as well as a special object. In the 
society of christians the particular work of 
every member is his own salvation ; but he 
owes a duty to the whole body, which is to 
promote, by all the means in his power, the 
common end of the association. That common 
object is to bring " the wickedness of the wick- 
ed to an end, and to establish the just." The 
church is an association against error, against 
sin, against the powers of darkness throughout 
the whole earth. The duty of contributing to 
these ends devolves, therefore, upon all. It is 
not the business of ministers, of missionaries 
only, — ^it is the work of the whole community. 
This public spirit, this expansion of influence 
and action, St. Paul endeavoured to excite 
among the christians in his day. " No man" 
he observes, no christian man " liveth to him- 
self." In this he only echoed the sentiment of 
Ms divine Master, — ** Ye are the light of the 
world ;" not a candle under a bushel, to scatter 
a feeble light through the contracted space of a 
family or a neighbourhood, but a sun to give 
light to the world. In perfect accordance with 



189 



these views, not only apostles and teachers, 
but the whole body of disciples are called to be 
" perfect as their Father in heaven is perfect," 
" for he maketh his sun to rise upon the evil 
and the good, and sendeth his rain upon the 
just and the unjust." Dehghtful picture of the 
benevolent character intended to distinguish a 
christian ! He cannot be a selfish man, he can-, 
not say my sphere of usefulness is at home 
only, the heathen have no claims upon me. 
His sun shines not upon his own habitation 
only, — " its circuit is to the end of heaven, and 
there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." 
His rain falls not exclusively on his own fields ; 
but, like the rich clouds of heaven wafted by 
the wind, he scatters the heavenly fulness with 
which he is replenished over every land to 
which providence directs him. 

Into this true spirit of your calling you, my 
hearers, are invited to enter this day. " Pro- 
phesy to the dry bones," not personally, but by 
sending forth men of God with your blessing, 
your prayers, jom- liberalities. Behold, they 
are ready to leave their " countiy and their fa- 
ther's house;" to rend the ties of kindred and 
of friendship; to endure *' weariness, and paiH-t 
fulness, and watchings, and hunger, and thirst, 



190 



and cold, and nakedness," " not counting their 
lives dear to them," for the love of souls. 
Hasten then away, that they may go to the 
most distant valle^^s of the dead, and cry, " O, 
ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." 

Iir. — The prophecy also expresses the cer- 
tain success which should follow the applica- 
tion of the appointed means. 

The prophet prophesied, he called for the 
vital breath of heaven, the same which at the 
creation of man was *' breathed into his nos- 
trils," and the result was, " the breath came 
into them, and they lived, and stood upon their 
feet, an exceeding great army." Not less cer- 
tain shall be the success of the gospel among 
the heathen ; and from this confidence we de- 
rive the life and spirit of our exertions. Des- 
pair destroys action ; doubt chills it ; but cer- 
tainty carries it forth to the loftiest enterprises. 
This certainly is ours. We are engaged in no 
doubtful cause, the kingdom of Christ must 
prevail, and the v/ord which has given him the 
heathen for his inheritance is " for ever settled 
in heaven." Our confidence rests, 
' 1. On the power of the gospel. Wherever 
the gospel is preached it is accompanied by a 
dispensation of the spirit. '• A day of visita- 



I 



191 



tion'* is vouchsafed, and all to whom it ig sent 
are put into a capacity to understand and obey 
it. We are not to consider the gospel as a 
mere system of doctrines, and duties, and 
hopes, offered coldly to the reason of mankind. 
It is this system, but it is more : it is the source 
of a divine influence which exerts itself 4ipon 
the faculties of those who hear it. Its autho- 
rized emblem is fire, and like that it has its 
active energy as w^ell as its light and splendour. 
The word is never sent without its Author. 
" Go, and preach my gospel, audio, I am with 
you ;" not only for personal support, but, as 
the connexion clearly indicates, to give suc- 
cess to 3^our labours. The same union sub- 
sists between the Spirit and the word. He is 
Bent " to convince the w^orld of sin." " The 
woi'ds which I speak unto you, they are spirit 
and they are life." Here is our hope of suc- 
cess. The prophet's w^ords were attended 
with the vital breathings of heaven. " God 
hath made us ministers of the Spirit." He goes 
forth with his servants as the cloud of glory 
before the Israelites, every where preparing 
their way, and shedding a secret but active 
energy upon the world ; putting ail men into a 
fitate of incipient salvation, assisting their 



392 



rainds to know and their wills to choose. It 
this power be used they will be saved, if re- 
sisted their condemnation is just. But the 
femploj-ment of means so adequate affords a 
moral certainty of great success. Merely to 
send the gospel by faithful men to the heatheii 
is, in one 'sense, to give life to the dead. 

To this, which may be called the ordinary 
power of the gospel, are to be added those ex- 
traordinary effusions of the Spirit upon certain 
places and people at different times, which are 
usually granted in answer to earnest prayer. 
Thus the prophet is represented as calling for 
the breath of heaven — " Come from the four 
winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain 
that they may live." And let ministers go 
forth, either at home or among the heathens in 
the strong spirit of prayer, — let the people of 
God every where join them in supplicating 
those displays of " power and glory" which 
have been so often " seen in the sanctuary," 
and it will b^ again proved whether he who 
holds the gales of heavenly life, as well as the 
natural "winds in his fists," will not answer to 
tlie call of his " elect who cry day and night 
unto him," and make his word 

" Like mighty winds and torrents fierce ;" 



1S3 

^subduing all opposition, and bearing down the 
strongest barriers of the empire of sin. Thus 
the christian dispensation was introducedj 
thus every great revival of religion has been 
established ; and thus may we expect that God 
will frequently signalize his own future work 
in the conversion of heathen nations. 

2. Our confidence in the certain success of 
the gospel rests also upon experience. 

Christanity is not a novelty, and its efficacy 
is not now to be put for the first time to the 
test of experiment. It is that powerful and di- 
vine instrument which has for ages been 
wielded with gloiious success in the cause of 
God and truth. Every part of the civilized 
world has at different times felt its energy, and 
in every nation it has erected trophies of ho- 
nour and victory. It is worthy of remark with 
what confidence in the efficacy of the gospel, 
even in a very early period of Christianity, the 
Apostle of the Gentiles prosecuted his mission. 
No expression of doubt as to the success of his 
labours ever escaped his lips ; his hand never 
hesitated in directing the blow through fear 
that it might be struck in vain against the ene- 
mies of the cross. " So fight I, not as one that 
beateth the air." " Now, thanks be to God 



194 

which causeth us always to triumph in Christ, 
and maketh manifest the savour of his know- 
ledge by us in every place." " I am ready to 
preach the gospel to j'ou that are at Rome also, 
for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, 
for it is the power of God unto salvation to 
every one that believeth." Emboldened by 
the experience of its power, all the principal 
agents in those revivals of religion which have 
distinguished different ages of the church, have 
imbibed the same spirit, and entered upon 
their mission with a courage which nothing but 
a firm confidence in its final triumphs could in- 
spire. Perhaps our success as ministers de- 
pends greatly upon this confidence in the effi- 
cacy of the gospel, which is, in truth, confi- 
dence in the promised co-operation of God. 
With the evidence of the experience of ages, 
descending in an accumulating stream down 
to the present moment, it would be most per- 
verse to despair. Prinjitive Christianity gives 
us its evidence on this subject. Ancient false 
opinions dissipated — inveterate habits of vice 
broken — the vast empire of idolatrous Rome 
christianized,— all attest the " weapons of our 
warfare" to be " m.ighty in the hands of God." 
The Reformation yields its testimony. Then 



195 



Christianity, throwing off in her rising might 
that superincumdent load of superstition and 
error which more than a thousand years had 
heaped upon her, appeared again before the 
world with simple and commanding majesty, 
and proclaimed her energies to be unbroken and 
unimpaired. The present day gives its evi- 
dence to the efficacy of the gospel, nor need 
we travel beyond the walls of this structure to 
collect it. You, my hearers, are witnesses of 
its power. Were we to speak of souls dead to 
God, defiled with sin, " without God and with- 
out hope," we might add also, " and such once 
were some of you ; but ye are washed, ye are 
sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the 
Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 
To you, therefore, has the preaching of the 
gospel proved " the power of God." And will 
it ever lose its power ? Never, if the promise of 
God " standeth for evermore." If the Dagons 
of Greece and Rome could not stand before the 
ark, but " fell and were broken," neither shall 
the gods of China and Hindostan. If we wor- 
ship Thor and Woden no longer; — if in these 
islands the light has penetrated the gloom of 
druidical forests, and put to shame the abomi- 
nations of our forefathers, the crude mythology 



196 

of Africa and the Southern Isles shall not re-, 
sist its penetrating beams and consuming 
energy. 

" The world cannot withstand 
Its ancient conqueror." 

Once conquered, it already trembles before the 
second attack. " The arm of God is awake," — . 
that arm which of old shook the gates of hell, 
and bowed down the pillars of the throne of 
Satan. 

3. Prophecy confirms the certainty of suc- 
cess. 

Take, my brethren, this glass, and look into 
the profound of the future. Is the prospect 
encouraging ? Of old an interesting question 
was put to one of the watchmen of Israel, 
"Watchman! what of the night ?" and the re- 
ply was, " The morning cometh and also die 
night." Thus the day of primitive Christianity 
was succeeded by a night of error. But if we 
now " come again and inquire," we shall re- 
ceive a more cheering answer. The watch- 
man of Christianity cries, " the shadows fly 
away," an everlasting day dawns upon the 
world, which, though it may be sometimes 
overcast, shaU never be succeeided by a night. 



197 



ISet«usi then, " turn aside and see this great 
sight." The morning is spread on the moun- 
tains," and " kings come to its light, and the 
gentiles to the brightness of its rising." The 
gods of earth tremble and fly ; for " in that day 
a' man shall cast his idols to the moles and to 
the bats." The standard of Christ waves 
upon the hills, and " all nations flow unto it,"' 
saying, " our fathers inherited lies and vanity, 
and things wherein is no profit." Famhies and 
pestilence desolate no more ; wars " cease to 
the ends of the earth." The destroying angel 
passes over the habitations of men and finds no 
victim ; for there is " light in all dwellings,"'' 
and every " door-post is sprinkled with the 
blood." " The glory of the Lord revealed, 
and all flesh behold it together." Then shall 
follow the great sabbath of the world, in which 
heaven and earth, reconciled by Christ and in- 
spired by grace and love, shall jointly offer the 
grateful sacrifice of adoring praise, " for every 
creature which is in heaven and earth heard I 
saying. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and 
power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, 
and unto the Lamb forever and ever." 

If, then, so glorious a certamty of present 



198 



partial success, and of ultimate complete suc- 
cess be established, what remains but that wo 
apply to the great work of sending the blessed 
gospel to the heathen with the utmost zeal. 
Duty demands it. — We owe a debt of love to 
every man. God hath " blessed us that we 
may be a blessing." Sympathy demands it. — 
" Now that we are converted let us strengthen 
our brethren." Interest demands it. — " Ho 
that watereth shall be watered himself." Our 
hatred of sin demands it. — Let us haste to ba- 
nish from the earth those abominations which 
offend the pure eyes of heaven. Pity to souU 
demands it. — Shall myriads of immortal spirit* 
sink into the gulph of perdition without an ef^ 
fort on our part to save them ? Lastly, grati- 
tude to God for past success demands it.— The 
prophets have prophesied, and the bones have 
been shaken, the breath of God has entered 
them, and already they stand up by their thou- 
sands. God be praised ! If you faint not, if in 
common with your brethren throughout the 
christian world you still prosecute the gx>od 
work, they shall be increased to " an exceeding 
great army." If, in the earnest fervour of your 
spirits you pray, " Come from the four winds, 



199 



O Breath I and breathe upon these slain that 
they may live," the whole valley shall soon 
heave with returning life. The holy influence 
shall sweep the desolate earth, and in every 
land the " dry bones" shall stand up, " the 
living, the living to praise God as we do this 
day." Amen. 



iSOtl 



NEW-YORK WEEKLY MESSENGER, 

A FaMtily We-wspaper, 

DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OP KELIGIOK, 

THE ORGAN OF NO SECT OR PARTY, 

BUT THE FRIEND OF ALL. 

THE ADVOCATE OP TRUTH — UNITY PEACE, 

THE MIRROR OP POLITE LITERATURE, 

AND RECORD OF NEWS, 

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. 

The sixth volume of this periodical is now in course 
of publication, printed on a sheet of the largest dimen- 
sions, always filled with valuable and useful matter. 
Published for the Proprietor, by John S. Taylor, 
Brick Church Chapel, opposite the City Hall, and 
100 Nassau-street. Terms, in advance, two dollars 
and fifty cents a year. All letters must be post, paid, 
addressed to the Editor, 1 CO Nassau-street. 



OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 

We subjoin a few of the numerous commendations 
which have been received from our contemporaries. 

From the Protestant Sentinel {De Ruyter^) 

This valuable religious and literary paper has changed 
(its editor and proprietorship, and is now conducted Ijy 
William Scott. 

It is but just to add that the Messenger has as well 
sustained its diaracleras any paper in our acquaintance ; 
and is classed among the most valuable periodicals of the 



202 

4ay. Avoiding controversy, It has pursued an even 
course ; and while it excludes light and unprofitable read- 
ing, which more or less contaminates the best literary 
works extant, its literary reputation is well sustained. 
The editor has our best wishes. 



From the Old Colony Memorial, Plymouth. 

The New- York Weekly Messenger has been enlarged, 
and has in every way been considerably improved, 
though it has always been one of the very best papers ia 
these parts. It must be observable to every intelligent 
individual that for excellency and variety of matter it is 
not surpassed by any of its kind. There is no discrepancy 
between its editorial pledges and contents, being in reality 
devoted to the interests of Religion, Literature, Science, 
Commerce, Agriculture. Mechanic Arts, and Foreign 
and Domestic Intelligence. It would be manifest injus- 
tice to mention any quality as a predominant feature in 
the character of the ' Messenger,' because it invariably 
contains that which is necessary to constitute it morally 
and intellectually excellent, and withal will be found 
highly entertaining. As a useful country paper, New- 
York does not send out a better. It is only two dollars fifty 
cents per year. 



From the Chronicle of the Church, New-Haven. 

The ill health of Mr. Abbott has obliged him to retire 
from this popular and interesting hebdomadal. He is 
succeeded by Rev. William Scott, late editor, who has 
associated with him the Rev. George Coles, heretofore a 
contributor of much good matter to its columns. The ob- 
ject of the Messenger, is to inculcate religion and mo- 
rality, without reference to sect or party; and judging 
from the specimens before us, we should think the object 
■well attained. 



203 

From the Christian Advocate and Journal, New- York. 

We take pleasure in expressing our gratification with 
the judicious, temperate, and candid manner in which 
the interests of literature and religion are promoted in 
this hebdomadal. It is edited by Kev. William Scott, 
and Rev. George Coles, of the New- York annual con- 
ference, and is published in this city by John S. Taylor. 

The Weekly Messenger is conducted on the broad 
principles of Christian charity, and is not committed to 
any sect or denomination, though it avows its disposition 
to do the " worthy bidding of ail." So far as we have 
had an opportunity to judge, the paper is well conducted, 
and from its manly and dignified impartiality, the Chris- 
tian public have the assurance of being justly and equally 
represented in its columns, by whatever name, or by 
whatever peculiarities they maj' be distinguished. And 
as its columns are closed against party politics, or any of 
the strifes and contentions which may exist in church or 
state, there is " nothing to hurt or offend" the humble 
followers of the cross, many of whom, in these days of 
excitement, desire to "let the potsherds of the earth strive 
with the potsherds of the earth." 

It a3()rd3 us great satisfaction to express our respect 
for the editors of this paper, and our best wishes for its 
prosperity. While they continue to " follow peace with 
all men," and labour to advance the cause of learning, 
virtue, and religion, as heretofore, " if they do not com- 
mand success, they will do more, for they will de- 
serve it." 



From the Ohio Atlas, Elyria, Lorian Co. 

We very cheerfelly insert the following notice of the 
Messenger, a literary journal of high standing in the city 
of New-York. It is incomparably more valuable than 
ninety-nine hundredths of that which circulates at the 
present day under the name of literature. But this is 
not enough of its excellence. Its place is in the first rank 
of moral and miscellaneous literature. We commend the 
Messenger to those who desire this kind of reading, da 
themselves and their children." 



204 

From the Westchester Spy. 

This excellent paper liafs recently passed into the hands 
X)f William Scott, who has for some time been its editor. 
We are confident that Mr. Scott will remit no part of his 
arduous duties in consequence of the new relation which 
he holds to the paper, and that the Messenger under his 
hands will be still more wortliy of public patronage than 
it was before. The Rev. George Coles, who has for 
jsome time assisted the editor is still connected with the 
•paper, and its columns will frequently be enriched by liia 
agreeable pen. 



Subscriptions for the New- York Weekly Messenger 
received at the office, No. 100 Nassau-street, and at flie 
book-store of John S. Taylor, theological and Sund^ 
school bookseller, Brick Church Chapel, opposite the Ci^ 
Hall. 

All communicntions by mail must be post paid, ad- 
dressed to 100 Nassau -street. 

William Scott, Proprietor. 



BOOKS 

}i - PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BY 

JOHN S . TAYLOR, 

THEOLOGICAL AND SUNDAY SCHOOL BOOKSELLER, 

BRICK CHURCH CHAPEL, 

CORNER OF PARK-ROW AND NASSAU-STREET, 

OPPOSITE THE CITY HALL, NEW-YORK. 



Select Remains of the late Wil- 
liam Nevins, D. D. with a Memoir. 

From the New-York Weekly Messenger. 

Select Remains of the Rev. William Nevins, 
D. D., with a Memoir. — " TJie righteous shall 
be had in everlasting remembrance." They 
erect for themselves a monument, enduring as 
the throne of God, imperishable as the crown of 
glory which bedecks the brow of him who is 
Lord of all. These lights of the world are ne- 
ver extinguished ; but while their mortal remains 
are mouldering in the tomb, the recollection of 
their graces enkindles in those who remain, a 
flame of holy emulation and zeal. Such is, and 
will be the case, with respect to the lamented di- 
vine whose honored name stands at the head of 
this notice. Dr. Nevins was a man of eminent 
piety and great talent, and though he requested 
that no extended memoir of him might be at- 
tempted, yet it was never likely but that some 
account of him should be written and published. 
This has been done, and the usefulness of the 
work before us cannot fail to be co-extensive with 



2 ADVERTISEMENTS* 

its circulation. The prominent features of Dr. 
Nevins' character are worthy of universal imi- 
tation. His talents and acquirements Avere su- 
perior, his piety sincere, and his wisdom practi- 
cal. Humility and amiability, diligence and 
punctuality, were traits acknowledged by all who 
knew him. He was a powerful writer, and those 
productions of his pen which appear in this vo- 
lume as " Select Remains," are " as apples of 
gold in pictures of silver" — "words fitly spoken." 
In addition to all the excellencies with which this 
volume abounds, we are happy to mention the 
neatness and beauty of its typography, the white- 
ness of the paper, and the exquisite delicacy of 
the beautiful likeness of Dr. Nevins with which 
the book is embellished. We shall cease to men- 
tion London books as standards of taste and ele- 
gance, if such volumes as this are presented to us 
from a New- York press and bindery. We re- 
commend this work to universal attention. 

From the New-York Evangelist. 

Nevins^ Remains. — A Memoir of the late Rev. 
William Nevins, with Select Extracts»from his 
unpublished writings. 

The public were informed, at the time of Dr. 
Nevins' decease, that his papers had been placed, 
by himself, in the hands of Rev. William Plu- 
mer, to be used at his discretion. The volume 
before us is the result, and shows that the discre- 
tion has been discreetly exercised. The memoir 
is brief, in decorous conformity to the expressed 
wish of the deceased. The selections are most- 
ly paragraphs and short essays, such as Dr. N. 
was accustomed to write for the papers. 

Probably none of our readers have yet tc 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 3 

learn the character of Dr. Nevins, as a Christian 
of rich experience, a pastor of tried fidelity, and 
a writer of religious essays unsurpassed in our 
day. To all his friends this volume will be a 
valuable memento. The publisher has spared no 
pains in the external appearance of the book, 
which is equal to the finest productions of the 
English press. The portrait is very fine. 

From the New-York Observer. 

Select Remains of Rev. William Nevins, D. 
D., with a Memoir. — This valuable work has 
just been published by Mr. John S. Taylor, cor- 
ner of Park-row and Nassau-street. It is a hand- 
some octavo of 398 pages, containing a portrait 
engraved on steel. About 80 pages are occupied 
with a biographical notice of Dr. Nevins and 
extracts from his diary. From 1830 until 1835, 
they are given in an unbroken series. We have 
seldom read a diary with deeper interest. It be- 
comes richer and richer in heavenly thoughts as 
the author drew near the end of his earthly la- 
bors. The book consists chiefly of selections 
from his unpublished writings, w^hich are replete 
with the purest and most exalted sentiments, ex- 
pressed with simplicity, conciseness, and point. To 
all who have read Mr. Nevins' Essays in the 
New-York Observer, over the signature of M. 
S., it is needless to remark upon the excellence 
and peculiar charm of his writings, which com- 
bine sententiousness and pungency with deep 
and living piety. The work may be recom- 
mended as useful in forming, and strengthening, 
and maturing the Christian graces. 

From the Newark Daily Advertiser. 

Select Remains of Rev. Wm. Nevins, D. 
D., t&ith a Memoir. An elegant octavo of 400 



4 ADVERTISEMENTS^ 

pages, with a spirited portrait from a painting by 
Inman. The work is in all respects — paper, 
print, binding, contents — a beautiful memorial of 
an amiable and lamented divine, whose pure light 
shone brightly in the churth. The memoir is 
brief and modest, consisting chiefly of extracts 
from his correspondence with his friends. The 
" Remains " comprise a great variety of extracts 
from Dr. Nevins' writings, containing his views 
on most leading questions which interest the at- 
tention of the christian world. 

After straining the eye over the full and con- 
densed pages of the popular publications of the 
day, we experience great relief from the bold ty- 
pography, open page, and clear broad margin of 
an old-fashioned volume like this. The publish- 
er has given us a noble specimen of his art. 

From the Commercial Advertiser. 

Remains .of Nevins. — John S, Taylor has 
just published a large and elegantly printed and 
bound 8vo, entitled "Select Remains of the Rev. 
Wm. Nevins, D. D,, with a Memoir." The name 
of the author and compiler is not given ; but he 
has executed his labor with excellent judgment 
and taste. The memoir is a rapid sketch of the 
life of Dr. Nevins, for which, although by no 
means devoid of interest, it appears that few ma- 
terials had been preserved. 

The "Select Remains" consist, for the most 
part, of short sketches and fragments of composi- 
tions, devout meditations, reflections, &c. upon a 
great variety of religious and moral subjects, 
with a collection of select sentences, aphorisms, 
&c. &c. found scattered among the papers of the 
deceased. Among these are many bright and 
beautiful thoughts, and the whole work is inter- 
spersed with syich a rare spirit of meek and gen- 



ADVERTISEMENTS. S 

tie piety as is but seldom to be found in the com- 
positions of the best. He was a man who almost 
literally " walked with God/' 

From the American Citizen. 

Select Remains of the Rev. William Ne- 
viNs, D. D., with a Memoir. — This work (to 
adopt the language of the Newark Advertiser) 
is, in all respects — paper, print, binding, contents 
— a beautiful memorial of an amiable and la- 
mented divine, whose pure light shone brightly 
in the Church. The memoir is brief and mo- 
dest, consisting chiefly of extracts from his cor- 
respondence with his friends. The ^' Remains " 
comprise a great variety of extracts from Dr. 
Nevins' writings, containing his views on most 
leading questions which interest the attention of 
the Christian world. 

The volume is an octavo of 400 pages, is 
printed on large open type, has a spirited like- 
ness of the subject of the Memoir, painted by In- 
man, and engraved by Paradise, and is otherwise 
well " got up." Though Dr. Nevins died young, 
his fame (if the word may be pardoned) as a 
preacher and writer, was wide spread, and we 
cannot but tru«t that the good taste and liberal 
spirit of the publisher, as evinced in this instance, 
will be duly appreciated and rewarded.-' Indeed, 
the public — the religious public especially — are 
much indebted to Mr. Taylor for their previous 
acquaintance with the author of these Remains, 
through the " Practical 'Thoughts" and the 
" Thoughts on Popery^ the first of which works 
is every where read with pleasure, and both, it is 
hoped, with profit ; and they have doubtless pre- 
pared the way for the favorable reception of the 
jjresent volume. 



b ADVERTISEMENTS. 

Dr. Nevins wrote much, and all who read, 
will acknowledge that he wrote well. 

From the Evening Star. 

Select Remains of the Rev. William Nevins, 
D. D., vnth a Memoir — The subject of this me- 
moir was a pious and unpretending divine, in 
possession of strong faculties and many great 
virtues. His life was one of great usefulness, 
and much of his time devoted to the relief of the 
distressed and the alleviation of the misfortunes 
of his brethren. The style in which this work 
is sent forth deserves the highest commendation. 
The type is large, full, and handsome, and the 
paper is white, clear and lustrous, and presents a 
beautiful specimen of typographical neatness. 

From the Journal of Commerce. 

Memoir and Remains of Rev. Dr. Ne- 
vins, late of Baltimore. — An intelligent friend 
who has read this work, (which we have not yet 
found time to do,) speaks of it as "a beautiful 
volume, and as useful as it is beautiful." He adds 
— " The Memoir is prepared by a judicious friend 
of the deceased, whose name is not given, and 
the Remains consists of short reflections on va- 
rious subjects of every day utility, for which the 
lamented author (alas ! too soon removed to his 
reward) was so celebrated. The manner in which 
it is got up, is very creditable to the publisher, 
Mr. John S. Taylor, of Park Row, Chatham- 
street. We need such aids to reflection, and we 
hope our readers will patronize this book, and 
make themselves familiar with the precepts and 
example of the worthy disciple of our Savior." 

From the New- York American. 

Select Remains of the Rev. Wm. Ne- 
vins, D. D., with a Memoir. — The life of a pious, 



ABTERTISEMENTS* 4 

ijnpTetending, and zealous Clergyman, offers lit- 
tle out of which to make a book suited to the 
popular taste — but affection loves to perpetuate the 
memory of its objects, and affection has xishered 
forth this volume, beautiful in its materials and 
typography, and well fitted to instruct, r«fine, 
and purify by its contents. 

The extracts from the diary of Dr. Nevins pre- 
sent him in a most favorable light, as a cheerful, 
humble and resigned clergyman — who found in 
the midst of severe domestic affliction that his 
religion was a reality, and that its promises were 
not in vain. 

The greater part of the volume is made up of 
miscellaneous extracts on different subjects, -ail 
connected with religion, from the manuscript pa- 
pers of Dr. Nevins. 

From the Philadelphia Gazette. 

Dr. Nevins. 

We find upon our table a beautifully printed 
<0Ctavo volume, entitled "Select Remains of the 
Eev. William Nevins, D. D., with a Memoir ;" 
and we observe also, a well engraved likeness of 
the estimahle subject of the Memoir. We found 
time to read only the Memoir and some of the 
" Remains." We share, we suppose, with most 
persons the pleasure of reading diaries, auto-bio- 
jraphical sketches, and short memoirs. They 
open up the heart to the reader, and, as face an- 
■swers to face in the glass, one finds his own heart 
beating responsive to the pulsations of his whose 
experience he is gathering. Dr. Nevins was a 
man of deep affections — while he seemed to di- 
rect all its streams towards objects of eternal in- 
terest, there was a swelling up and gushing forth 



8 ADVERTISEMENTS. 

for home and the fire-side circle, that showed 
how salutary are the touches of religion upon earth- 
ly love ; the true exercise of the latter being the 
best evidences of the existence of the former. 

The " Remains " are extracts from the sermons 
and occasional writings of Dr. Nevins, and show 
a ripe scholar, a clear thinker, and good writer. 
We commend the book to those who like reli- 
gious reading — they will find pleasure in its pe- 
rusal. We commend it more to those who do 
not like religious reading — they will find profit 
from its study. 

From the New-Yorker. 

" Select Remains of Rev. William Nevins, 
D. D., with a Memoir." — Rarely have we wel- 
comed to our table a volume so strikingly credita- 
ble to the American press as that now before us 
— a beautifully and richly executed octavo of 400 
pages. The matter is worthy of the garb in which 
it is presented. The divine whose " Remains " 
are thus given to the public, was a burning and 
a shining light in the Presbyterian Church, and 
his decease was deeply and widely felt by his breth- 
ren in faith, but especially at Baltimore, the theatre 
of his labors of love. The volume now published 
consists of choice extracts from his sermons, his 
letters, and his contributions to the religious jour- 
nals. It is embellished by a beautiful likeness, 
and deserves an honorable place in the library of 
the orthodox Christian. 

From the Pfew-York Express. 

Select Remains of the Rev. Mr. Nevins, D. D., 
with a Memoir. New- York, John S. Taylor, cor- 
ner of Park Row and Nassau-street ; an elegant 
octavo of 400 pages, with a spirited portrait from a 



ADVERTISEMEKTS. 9 

painting by Inman. The work is in all respects 
— paper, print, binding, and contents — a beautiful 
memorial of an amiable and lamented divine, 
vvhose pure light shone brightly in the church. 
The Memoir is brief and modest, consisting chief- 
ly of extracts from his correspondence with his 
friends. The " Remains" comprise a'^ great va- 
riety of extracts from Dr. Nevins' writings, con- 
taining his views on the leading questions which 
interest th« attention of the christian world. 

From the Morning Star. 

Select Remains of the Rev. Mr. Nevins, 
D. D,, with a Memoir, with an elegant portrait, 
from a painting by Inman. 

This is a most beautiful work. In paper, print, 
and binding, it exceeds any new work that we 
have seen. The Memoir is correct and brief. 
The Remains comprise a variety of the finest ex- 
tracts from the writings of this eminently talented 
and lamented divine: several of them are on the 
doctrines which now agitate the church. 

From the American Baptist. 

Select Remains of the Rev. William 

Nevins, D. D. With a Memoir. 8vo. pp. 398. 

With Dr. Nevins, it was never our happiness 
to be personally acquainted. But the perusal of 
this work has left a deep yet unavailing regret, 
that we should have been contemporary with such 
a choice spirit — should have dwelt in the same 
city with him, and it may be, have sided by him 
in the crowded street, and yet never have seen, 
and never have known him ! 

And so will it be with many, now pressing 
with us for the goal, who, when they have outrun 
us in the Christian stadium, have seized the gar- 



10 ADVERTISEMENTS. 

land, and their virtues and their victories have been 
heralded to the church and to the world, we shall 
regret that we saw them not, and wonder most 
of all, that living in the same age, sojourning in 
the same cities, and perhaps for a time sheltered 
beneath the same roof, we yet should have let 
pass unimproved the golden opportunity of en- 
riching our stores of piety and intelligence by an 
endeared and confiding intercourse. 

To us the very sight of a holy man is sanctify- 
ing. We love to gaze on his resemblance to his 
Lord, till we catch his spirit and are changed 
into the same image ! What gainers then might 
we have been, had we been brought within the 
influence of a man, a Christian, and a minister, 
so richly endowed with piety and intellect, and 
around whom there was thrown, in foldings of 
such richness and grace, the beautiful robe of hu- 
mility, as was Nevins ! What lessons might 
we have drawn from his holy walk, his stern 
principles of integrity, his untiring industry, his 
various and successful plans of usefulness, and 
the spirit of self-annihilation which enshrined all 
in its burning lustre ! But we have formed an 
intimacy with him through his "Remains," — 
alas ! that the response should be from the grave ! 
— and their perusal has left upon the heart the 
faint impress of a character, which, in its living 
influence, must have been peculiarly and emi- 
nently spiritual. The "Memoir" which intro- 
duces the " Remains," though brief, possesses yet 
a charm which other and more elaborate bio- 
graphies can seldom claim — that of permiting the 
subject himself to speak out the history of his 
own life and experience — so that the memoir of 
Nevins might be justly styled an auto-biography. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. U 

The extracts from his diary and letters will he 
read with deep interest— and cold and unfeeling 
must be the individual who can linger around 
the touching picture of his desolated and broken 
heart, mourning over the grave of her who was 
the wife of his youth and the charm of his lite, 
and feel no thrilling emotion. The Christian, 
too, who is, as was the departed Nevins, all his 
life-time in bondage through the fear of death, as 
he stands by his bed-side, and beholds him with un- 
shaken faith in the faithfulness of God, and lis- 
tens to his song, though tremulous m death, ot 
iov and triumph, will dismiss his fears, and com- 
mit his soul afresh to Him who is able to keep it 
against that day. 

But of his "Remains," what shall we say? 
We have perused, and re-perused, and will pe- 
ruse them yet again, so elevated in thought so 
pure in style, so eloquent in language, and so 
rich in piety are they. We think m each of 
these particulars, they will rank with "Pascals 
and Adam^s Thoughts," and with ;' Searl s Chris- 
tian Remembrancer." By their side on our bio- 
graphical shelf, we have placed the " Remains and 
the Memoir of William Nevins. 

The work, as presented to the public by its en- 
terprising publisher, John S. Taylor Park Row, 
New- York, is a beautiful specimen of neatness m 
typography, and elegance in binding. Its ap- 
pearance will vie with any book in this depart- 
ment of literature which we have yet received 
either from the English or the American press. 
That the fondest hopes which influenced ^ev^^ 
in writing, Plumer in compilmg, and Taylor 
In publishing this work, may reach the utmost 
limits of realization, is our sincerest wisii. 



1^ ADVERTISEMENTS. 

From the Long-Island Star. 

Select Remains of the Rev. William NevinS, 
D. D. with a Memoir — New- York — John S. 
Taylor. The gifted author of these posthumous 
fragments, while in the midst of his deeds of 
charity and love, and before he had reached his 
manhood's prime, was summoned from the field 
of his labors and conflicts to 

" Join the caravan that moves 
" To the pale realms of shade." 

Perhaps the usefulness of ^he art of printing 
is never so forcibly felt as when death suddenly 
severs a great mind, and extinguishes a flaming 
light from among the living. The press seems 
to grasp and converge the rays that gathei* over 
the death-couch of the devoted in piety and strong 
in intellect, and pours them out again in their full 
eflfulgence, 

" The round of rays complete," 

upon a benighted world. The Press, into the ever- 
lasting ear of its memory, seems to drink up the 
last impressive lesson and parting benediction of 
the departing patriarch, as he takes his departure 
to mingle with those beyond the flood, and imparts 
to them an immortal voice, whereby "being dead, 
he yet speaketh." Truly may it be said of the 
lamented Nevins, " being dead, he yet speaketh" 
— speaketh in the kindness of heart by which he 
was endeared to the social circle — speaketh by 
his good works, for which the widow and the 
fatherless still bless his memory — speaketh in his 
exemplary piety, \9hich made him a "burning 
and a skining light" to a captious and infidel 
people — speaketh in the language of his eloquent 
teachings and aspirations, preserved in the vo- 



ADVERTISEMENTS. l8 

lume before us, for the enlightenment and conso- 
lation of the way-farer on life's bleak journey. 

Prom Rev. Wm. Adams, Pastor of the Broome-st. Church, New-York. 

Memoir and Select Remains of Nevins. — It 
would be difficult to mention a book which does 
more credit to an author or a publisher than 
this. The contents are like " apples of gold in 
pictures of silver." 

Who that knew the lamented author, does not 
see his image reflected from these pages — refined, 
ornate, thoughtful and spiritual. We see him 
again passing through his various and diver- 
sified trials— prosperity and adversity sickness 
and death, and coming out like silver that 
has been tried. We commend especially the 
fragments which were written under the great- 
est of all earthly losses, and in near prospect of 
his own departure. They breathe the spirit of 
heaven. Blessed be God for such an exemplifi- 
cation of faith and patj^nce — for this new evi- 
dence of the reality and stability of our hopes. 
He was a burning and a shining light, and many 
have and will rejoice in that light. ■ 

The fragmentary form of these articles will in- 
sure frequent perusal. , They are the best speci- 
mens of this description since the Remains of 
Cecil; with less of his mannerism and style, 
there is more of simplicity and adaptedness to 
general readers. In a time of haste and little re- 
flection, their brilliant thoughts may arrest atten- 
tion, and lead gathers to reflect also. 

In unqualified terms do we commend this 
volume, for the richness of its contents and the 
uncommon elegance of its form. 

William Adams. 



14 ADVERTISEMENTS, 

Praetieal TllOUgllts. By the late Dr. 
Nevins, of Baltimore. 

Thoughts on Popery* By Dr. Nevins, 

of Baltimore. 

From the New-York Observer of April 9th, 183t5. 

The Practical Thoughts consists of forty-six 
articles on prayer, praise, professing Christ, du- 
ties to Sabbath Schools, the monthly concert, the 
conversion of the world, violations of the Sab- 
bath, liberality, man's inconsistency, the pity of 
the Lord, Christian duty, death, &c. ; the last of 
which are " Heaven's Attractions " and " The 
Heavenly Recognition," closing with the words, 
•* By the time we have done what I recommend, 
we shall be close upon the celestial confines — 
perhaps within heaven's limits," * * * 

There the sainted author laid down his pen, 
leaving the article unfinished, and went, none can 
doubt, to enjoy the blest reality of the scenes he 
had been so vividly describing. 

These articles combine great simplicity, attrac- 
tiveness, and vivacity of thought and style, with 
a spiritual unction scarcely to be found in any 
other writer. Thousands of minds were impress- 
ed with them as thej' first appeared ; they reprov- 
ed the inconsistent Christian, roused the slumber- 
ingi and poured a precious balm into many an 
afflicted bosom. While writing them, the author 
buried a beloved wife, and had daily more and 
more sure indications that the hgur of his own 
departure was at hand ; and God enabled him, 
from the depth of his own Christian experience, 
to open rich fountains of blessing for others. 

The Thoughts on Popery are like, and yet un- 
like, the other series. There is the same spright- 



ADVteRTISEMENTS. 15 

liness of the imagination, the same clearness, ori- 
ginality, and richness of thought, with a keen- 
ness of argument, and sometimes irony, that ex- 
poses the baseness and shamelessness of the dog- 
mas and superstitions of Popery, and that must 
carry home conviction to the understanding and 
heart of every unprejudiced reader. Piece by 
piece the delusion, not to say imposition, of that 
misnamed church are exposed, under the heads of 
the Sufficiency of the Bible, the Nine Command- 
ments, Mortal and Venial Sins, Infallibility, Idola- 
try Relics, the Seven Sacraments, Penance, the 
Mass, Celibacy of the Clergy, Purgatory, Canon- 
izing Saints, Lafayette not at Rest, The Leopold 
Reports, Supererogation, Convents, &c. We 
know of nothing that has yet been issued which 
so lays open the deformities of Popery to common 
minds, or is so admirably adapted to save our 
country from its wiles, and to guard the souls of 
men from its fatal snares. 

Hints to Parents on the Early 
Religious Education of Children. 
By Gardiner Spring, D. D., Pastor of the 
Brick Presbyterian Church, New- York. 18mo. 
with a steel engraving. Price 37^ cts. 

From the New-York Weekly Messenger and Young Men's Advocate. 

Dr Spring's. Hints to Parents.— One of the 
prettiest little works of this class that we have 
ever met with, is just published ; it is called 
" Hints to Parents on the Religious Education 
of Children. By Gardiner Spring, D. D. The 
author has been long and favorably known to 
the public as a chaste, powerful, and popular 
writer. The subject of the present work is one 
of great moment— one in which every parent has 



16 ADVERTISEMENTS. 

a real interest. And we commend this little vo- 
lume, not only to pious parents, but to all who 
desire to bring up their children in such a man- 
ner as to make them an honor to themselves and 
a blessing to their fellow-men. 

From the Commercial Advertiser. 

Hints to Parents on the Religious Education 
of Children. By Gardiner Spring, D. D. This 
beautiful little volume, coming out at this time, 
will be peculiarly acceptable to the congregation 
of the able and excellent author, and will have 
;the effect of a legacy of his opinions on a most 
important subject, now that, for a time they are 
deprived of his personal instructions. It is a 
work that should be in the hands of every parent 
throughout our country, who has the temporal 
and eternal interest of his offspring at heart. 
The few and leading maxims of the Christian 
religion are plainly and practically enforced, and 
the parent's duties are descanted on in a train of 
pure and beautiful eloquence, which a father's 
mind, elevated by religion, only could have dic- 
tated. We believe that a general knowledge of 
this little volume would be attended with conse- 
quences beneficial to society, since a practice of 
its recommendations could scarcely be refused to 
its solemn and affectionate spirit of entreaty. 

The Ministry we Need. By S. H. 

Cox, D. D., and others. 37| cents. 

From the Literary and Theological Review. 

This neat little volume comprises the inaugu- 
ral charge and address which were delivered on 
occasion of inducting the Professor of Sacred 
Rhetoric and Pastoral Theology in the 
Theological Seminary at Auburn. The friends 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 17 

of Dr. Cox will not be disappointed in his inau- 
gural address. It bears the impress of his talents 
and piety — his enlarged views and Catholic spi- 
rit. To analyze it would convey no adequate 
idea of its merits. His theme is the ministry of 
reconciliation — " the chosen medium by which 
God conciliates men — the mighty moral engine- 
ry that accomplishes his brightest wonders — the 
authentic diplomacy of the King of kings work- 
ing salvation in the midst of the earth." The 
manner in which he treats his subject, in relation 
to the importance of the Christian ministry, and 
the kind of ministry needed in this age and na- 
tion, we need hardly remark, will amply repay 
the perusal of his brethren, if not be interesting 
and instructive to the Church at large. 
. " Error-scenting notoriety " may not altogether 
like the odor of this little book ; and the " lynx- 
eyed deteciers of heresy^' will not be forward to 
approve a work in which they are handled with 
unsparing severity ; but by " all the favorers on 
principle of a pious, sound, educated, scriptural, 
and accomplished ministry in the Church of 
God, and throughout the world, as the ministry 
WE NEED, to whom this little volume is most re- 
spectfully inscribed," it will be read, and, we 
trust, circulated. 

The liily of the Valley. l8mo. 
Price 37^ cents. 

From the Methodist Protestant, Baltimore. 

This is a neat and very interesting little vo- 
lume. The narrative throughout will be read 
with pleasure, and some portions of it with thril- 
ling interest. The story is natural, and told in 
very neat language and with admirable simplici- 
ty. It is not only calculated to please and inter- 



18 ADVERTISEMENTS. 

est the mind of the reader, but also to make mo- 
ral and religious impressions upon the heart. 
We are well assured, if its merits were general- 
ly known, that it would find its way into many 
families'and Sabbath school libraries, as it is par- 
ticularly adapted to please and engage the atten- 
tion of juvenile readers. 

From the Christian Intelligencer. 

This is a republication of a small narrative 
volume published in England. The narrative is 
written with beautiful simplicity, possesses a 
touching interest, and is calculated to leave a 
salutary impression. It is well fitted for a pre- 
sent by parents or friends to children, and is wor- 
thy of a place in Sabbath school libraries. 

From the Ladies' Morning Star of Aug. 26, 1836, 

The above is the title of a very interesting lit- 
tle work of 123 pages, recently published and for 
sale by John Taylor, Brick Church Chapel, 
New- York. It is a simple though beautiful nar- 
rative of a young female, some portions of which 
are of the most pathetic and affecting character, 
particularly designed for the edification and in- 
struction of young females, and a most excellent 
work to introduce into Sabbath schools. Its ten- 
dency is to kindle the flames of piety in the youth- 
ful bosom, to instruct the understanding, and to 
warm and improve the heart. Its intrinsic though 
unostentatious merits,' should furnish it with a 
welcome into every family. 

Commendatory Notice, bj' the Rev. W. Patton. 

Mr. J. S Taylor, — It affords me pleasure to 
learn that you are about to republish the little 
work called " The Lily of the Valley." Since 
the time it was presented to my daughter by the 
Hev. Dr. Matheson, of England, it has been a 



ADVERTISEMENTS. ]9 

great favorite in my family. It has been read 
with intense interest by many, who have from 
time to time obtained the loan of it. Indeed it 
has but seldom been at home since its first pe- 
rusal. I doubt not but all who have read it will 
be glad of the opportunity of possessing a copy. 

The story is not only natural, but instructive ; 
and well calculated to impress upon the mind im- 
portant moral and religious lessons. Some por- 
tions of the narrative are of the most touching 
and thrilling character. There is a charming 
simplicity pervading the work. I feel a strong 
confidence that you will find an ample sale for 
the book. It will find its way into many families, 
and be found in the libraries of the Sabbath school. 
Yours respectfully, 

Wm. Patton. 

lii^lits and Shadows of Christian 
liife. By William C. Brovvnlee, D. D. $1 00, 

Christian Retirement. From the 
eighth London edition. $1 25. 

An Earnest Appeal to Christians, 
on the Duty of Making Efforts and 
Sacrifices for the Conversion of the 
"World. By Wm. C. Brownlee, D. D. 31 
cents. 

Popery an Enemy to Liberty, By 

Wm. C. Brownlee, D. D. 31 cents. 

Thoughts on Evangelizing the 
World. By Rev. S. H. Skinner, D. D. 37 
cents. 

Thoughts on Religious Educa- 
tion and Early Piety. By Rev. Wm. 
S. Plumer. 31 cents. 



20 ADVERTISEMENTS. 

Pleasure and Profit, vol. 1., or The 
Museum. By Uncle Arthur. 37^ cents. 

Pleasure and Profit, vol. 2., or The 
Boy's Friend. By Uncle Arthur. 37| cents. 

Pleasure and Profit, vol. 3., or Mary 
AND Florence. By Uncle Arthur. 37| cents. 

Missionary Remains, or Sketches 
OF Evarts, Cornelius, and Wisner. By 
Gardiner Spring, D. D., and others. 37| cents. 

The Christianas Pocket Compan- 
ion. Selected from the works of John Ro- 
gers, Dr. Owen, David Brainerd, Presi- 
dent Edwards, and others, with an Introduc- 
tion by Rev. John Blatchford, of Bridgeport, 
Conn. 25 cents. 

From the New-York Observer. 

Christianas Pocket Companion. This very 
small but neat manual, Just published, is a com- 
pilation of some of the purest sentiments and ho- 
liest aspirations of such men as Owen, Rogers, 
Brainerd, and President Edwards. We venture 
to say that no Christian can make it the familiar 
companion of his heart, as well as "pocket," 
without becoming evidently a holier and a hap- 
pier man. 

Sermons. By Rev. Charles G. Finney. 
With a Portrait. $1 00. 

The sermons are -twelve in number, on the fol- 
lowing subjects : 

1, Sinners bound to change their own hearts. 

2. How to change your heart. 

3. Traditions of the elders. 

4, 5. Total depravity. 

6. Why sinners hate God^ 

7. God cannot please sinners. 



ADVERTISEMENTS, 21 

8. Christian Affinity. 

9v Stewardship. 

10. Doctrine of Electioa. 

11. Reprobation. 

12. Love of the "World. 

It will be seen, from a glance at the subjects, 
that this volume contains Mr. Finney's mode of 
elucidating several highly important points of 
doctrine and duty, and will be read with interest 
and profit every where, pp. 277, 8vo. Price $1. 

From the Morning Star. 

Sermons on Important Subjects, by Rev. C. G. 
Finney. Third edition, pp. 277, large octavo. 

This volume comprises twelve sermons, on 
highly important practical subjects, which ought 
to address themselves to the serious consideration 
of every man, woman, and child of Adam. These 
sermons were, we believe, principally delivered 
in the Chatham-street Chapel, and set forth, in a 
clear, forcible and convincing manner, the re- 
verend author's views of the Gospel-truths of 
which he treats. The style is plain and senten- 
tious, though wrought with much originality, 
and characterized by the boldness, energy and 
persuasiveness of its author. 

The reasoning is sound, and the deductions 
logical and clear. Man is here depicted as he is, 
in all the attributes of his character, and he is 
shown more of himself than in most instances he 
ever knew before. The doctrines we consider 
as altogether purely evangelical, entirely com- 
patible with those of divine revelation, and sus- 
ceptible of demonstration by reference to its sa- 
cred pages. This author has been much abused 
by those who either did not fully understand the 
import and tendency of his language and doc- 



22 ADVERTISEMENTS. 

trines, or by those who perhaps had formed pre- 
conceptions of a character in hostility to the opi- 
nions and doctrines he advances; or by others 
again who did not wish to believe the important 
truths he uttered, lest they should be reproved. 
We have not only heard but read his sermons, 
and however much we charitably differ from 
others, consider these sermons as valuable auxili- 
aries in the schools of Christian instruction. Their 
approval by the Christian public is evident from 
the issue of this third edition. 

From the Loag-Island Star. 

Sermons on Importaiit Subjects, by the Rev. 
C. G. Finney — New-York — John S. Taylor. 
Many of the themes of this volume are upon de- 
bateable ground, and we are therefore, by the 
character of our paper, precluded from speaking 
affirmatively or negatively about the correctness 
of the views therein inculcated. There are some, 
however, of a more general and practical charac- 
ter, which, from the force of argument and the 
vigor of imagination in which they are clothed, 
appeal most powerfully to the common mind. 
However diversified the opinions respecting Mr. 
Finney's mere theological merits, all must unite 
in awarding him talents of a very high order. 
This volume well sustains his pretensions as a 
man of commanding abilities. We would say, 
en passant, that the works issued by John S. Tay- 
lor are invariably executed in a very superior 
style of type, paper, and binding ; and in this he 
deserves the thanks of those readers who have a 
taste to gratify, or eyes to preserve. 

Prevailing Prayer. By Rev. C. G. 

Finney. 32mo. 12| cents. 



ADVERTISEMENTS. 23 

Sinners Bound to change their 
own Hearts. A Sermon, by *J. G. Finney, 
For five dollars a hundred, or six cents single. 

How to change Your Heart. A 

Sermon, by C. G. Finney. For five dollars a 
hundred, or six cents single. 

I'he l^orks of Rct. Daniel A, 
Clark. In three volumes. $3 00. 

Advice to a Brother. By a Mission- 
ary. 31 cents. 

Early Piety. By Rev. Jacob Abbott, 
18| cents. 

Scripture Gems. Morocco, gilt, 25 
cents. 

The National Preacher, printed in 
an elegant pamphlet form, each number contain- 
ing two Sermons from living Ministers. Month- 
ly. Edited by Rev. Austin Dickinson. Price 
one dollar a year in advance. 

The Satobath School Visiter, pub- 
lished by the Massachusetts Sabbath School So- 
ciety. Edited by Rev. Asa Bullard, Boston. 50 
cents. 

Also Agent for 
The Missionary Herald, published 
for the American Board of Commissioners for 
Foreign Missions. Monthly. $1 50 a year. 

Also Publisher of 
The NaTal Magazine. Edited by the 
Rev. C. S. SteAvart, M. A., of the U. S. Navy. 
$3 00 a year, payable in advance. 

J. S. T. has also a large and choice selection 
of Miscellaneous Works, suitable for Sunday 



24 ADVERTISEMENTS. 

School Libraries; together with Theological, 
Classical, Moral, and Religious Books, Station 
ary, &c., all of which he will sell at the lowest 
price. 

A constant supply of the Publications of the 
Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, the Ame- 
rican Sunday School Union, and of the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Sunday School Union, at the same 
price as sold at their respective Depositories. 

N. B. Orders from the country will be imme- 
diately attended to, and books forwarded accord- 
ing to directions. Should the selection of books 
for Sunday Schools be left with J. S. T., and he 
should forward any which should not suit the 
purchaser, they may be returned, and the money 
will be refunded, or other books given in ex- 
change. Those wishing to purchase, are invited 
to call and examine his stock. 



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